‘Men would never have to face this’: Keyaa calls out sexism after viral 140kg deadlift

NEW DELHI: Indian powerlifter Keyaa Kunal Banerji had every reason to expect attention after producing one of the standout performances of her young career. Instead, the 21-year-old found herself confronting an uncomfortable side of online fame after her 140kg deadlift and World Championship silver medal went viral.Banerji's breakthrough came at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa, where she competed in the Junior Women's 47kg category. Weighing 45.70kg, she pulled 140kg in the deadlift — more than three times her competition bodyweight — to finish second in the individual deadlift event and win a silver medal.But as the clip of her lift spread across social media, much of the conversation around her achievement shifted away from powerlifting.