CM Naidu Hails Guntur's Likhitha on Powerlifting Gold
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu congratulated Guntur's Bollu Likhitha for winning gold in the 76kg category at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Winnipeg, Canada, calling it a moment of 'immense glory' for the state and the nation.
Key Takeaways
Bollu Likhitha from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh won the Gold Medal in the 76kg category at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships.
The championships were held in Winnipeg, Canada .
Andhra Pradesh CM N.
Chandrababu Naidu publicly congratulated Likhitha on October 1, 2026 .
Naidu described the achievement as bringing 'immense glory to Andhra Pradesh and India on the international stage.' The post used the hashtag #PrideOfAndhra , framing the gold as a state-wide celebration.
A girl from Guntur just stood atop a podium in Canada — and Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister made sure the whole country knew it. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday, October 1, 2026, congratulated Bollu Likhitha for winning the Gold Medal in the 76kg category at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships held in Winnipeg, Canada.
Naidu's post described Likhitha as 'our Guntur girl', a phrase that immediately places the achievement in a local frame — hometown pride elevated to national glory. He credited her 'remarkable grit, dedication, and hard work' for bringing 'immense glory to Andhra Pradesh and India on the international stage.'
Likhitha's Gold in Winnipeg
Bollu Likhitha competed in the 76kg weight category at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships, a multi-nation competition that draws elite powerlifters from across the Commonwealth. Winnipeg, one of Canada's major cities, hosted the event. Likhitha's gold is a significant result, placing her at the top of her category against international competition.
Guntur to the Global Stage
Guntur, a city in the heart of Andhra Pradesh, has produced athletes across disciplines — and Likhitha's championship gold adds powerlifting to that roster. The achievement is particularly notable because powerlifting, while a sport with a dedicated following, rarely draws the spotlight that cricket or athletics command. A Commonwealth gold in the discipline signals genuine world-class strength and technical mastery. Chief Minister Naidu's public recognition is a signal to the state's sporting community that such achievements matter beyond the usual headlines.
Naidu closed his post with a direct message to the athlete: 'You have made the entire state proud, Likhitha. Wishing you many more victories ahead! Keep inspiring!' The hashtag #PrideOfAndhra anchored the post as a state-level celebration.
Likhitha lifts more than just a barbell — she carries the expectation that Andhra Pradesh's next generation of athletes will carry gold home from even bigger stages.
Point of View
Naidu frames the victory as regional pride made global — a soft-power move that reinforces Andhra Pradesh's identity as a talent-producing state. For a relatively low-profile discipline like powerlifting, this kind of top-level recognition can meaningfully shift public and institutional attention toward strength sports. It also positions the TDP government as attentive to achievements outside the political and economic headlines that typically dominate Andhra discourse.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bollu Likhitha?
Bollu Likhitha is a powerlifter from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, who won the Gold Medal in the 76kg category at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships held in Winnipeg, Canada in 2026.
Where were the 2026 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships held?
The Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships were held in Winnipeg, Canada.
What did CM Chandrababu Naidu say about Bollu Likhitha?
CM Naidu praised Likhitha's 'remarkable grit, dedication, and hard work,' saying she had brought 'immense glory to Andhra Pradesh and India' and called her 'our Guntur girl.'
Which weight category did Bollu Likhitha win gold in?
Bollu Likhitha won the gold medal in the 76kg category at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships.
Which state is Bollu Likhitha from?
Bollu Likhitha is from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, India.
