Gold-medallist powerlifter Yashtika Acharya dies in Bikaner gym after heavy weightlifting rod slips during training

A tragic accident took the life of 17-year-old Yashtika Acharya, a gold-medallist powerlifter, during training in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district. The incident occurred on Tuesday when a 270-kg weightlifting rod fell on her neck while she was practising in the gym, police said.

According to Naya Shahar SHO Vikram Tiwari, Yashtika was training under her coach when the heavy rod slipped and fell on her. The impact was severe, causing her neck to break. Her trainer, who was assisting her, also suffered minor injuries.

After the accident, Yashtika was rushed to the hospital, but doctors declared her dead on arrival. Her sudden death has left the sports community in shock.


The SHO confirmed that Yashtika’s family has not registered a police case regarding the incident. Following a post-mortem examination, her body was handed over to her family on Wednesday.

Yashtika was a rising star in powerlifting, having won a gold medal in the Junior National Games. Her untimely death is a great loss to the sports world, highlighting the need for strict safety measures in training facilities.

Inputs from PTI