Odisha’s rising weightlifting star Priteesmita Bhoi has scripted history at the Youth Asian Games in Bahrain by breaking the world youth record in the clean and jerk event while clinching the gold medal in the girls’ 44 kg category. The 16 year old lifter from Dhenkanal lifted an extraordinary 92 kg in clean and jerk along with 66 kg in snatch to register a combined total of 158 kg, securing the top podium finish and bringing glory to India. She began with an impressive 87 kg lift, improved to 90 kg, and finally set the new world youth record with a stunning 92 kg effort. Although she successfully lifted 66 kg in snatch, her next two attempts at 68 kg and 69 kg were unsuccessful.

Her remarkable journey is one of perseverance and determination. Orphaned of her father at the tender age of two, Priteesmita and her sister Vidusmita were raised by their mother, Jamuna Devi, who supported them through all hardships. Their tryst with weightlifting began when coach Gopal Krishna Das noticed their athletic potential during a track event and initiated them into the sport. Since then, her growth has been extraordinary, backed by structured training and India’s sports development ecosystem.

In August 2023, the Khelo India Talent Identification and Development Committee selected Priteesmita as a Khelo India athlete, giving her access to scientific training, nutritional support, and exposure in international competitions. She justified that trust by winning gold at the 2024 Youth World Weightlifting Championships where she set a youth world record with a 76 kg lift in the clean and jerk category in the 40 kg division. Continuing her medal streak, she lifted a total of 150 kg (63 kg in snatch and 87 kg in clean and jerk) to win the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in the youth 44 kg women’s category.

Her recent Youth Asian Games gold medal stands as yet another milestone in her already illustrious young career. With multiple international records and titles to her name at just 16, Priteesmita Bhoi has emerged as a powerful symbol of Odisha’s sporting excellence and India’s growing dominance in youth weightlifting.