Indian powerlifter Keyaa Banerji won a silver medal for her 140kg deadlift at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa.
The 21-year-old competed in the Junior Women’s 47kg category and finished fifth overall. Her deadlift was more than three times her competition bodyweight.
After videos of her lift circulated online, Banerji said she faced sexual harassment, impersonation and comments about her ethnicity, ancestry and caste.
She also said thousands of AI-generated images using her face and body were circulated without her consent. Banerji said her previous private Instagram account was suspended before she created a new account.
She later said she wanted to focus on powerlifting.
Indian powerlifter Keyaa Banerji won a silver medal for her 140kg deadlift at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa.
The 21-year-old competed in the Junior Women’s 47kg category and finished fifth overall. Her deadlift was more than three times her competition bodyweight.
After videos of her lift circulated online, Banerji said she faced sexual harassment, impersonation and comments about her ethnicity, ancestry and caste.
She also said thousands of AI-generated images using her face and body were circulated without her consent. Banerji said her previous private Instagram account was suspended before she created a new account.
She later said she wanted to focus on powerlifting.
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