Asian Para Games 2026: Kasthuri Rajamani wins silver in women's 67kg powerlifting
Synopsis
A 42-year-old Tamil Nadu powerlifter who had finished fifth at the previous edition just climbed to second on the continental podium. Kasthuri Rajamani's 108kg silver at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is India's second para powerlifting medal in two days — and a story of measured progression, personal resilience, and a one-kilogram margin that made all the difference.
Key Takeaways
Kasthuri Rajamani won silver in the women's 67kg powerlifting event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on 21 October .
Her best lift of 108kg placed her ahead of South Korea's Kim Hyeonghui ( 107kg ) by a single kilogram.
Uzbekistan's Rukhshona Uktamova took gold with 127kg .
Rajamani had finished fifth at the previous Asian Para Games edition, making this a notable personal improvement.
This is India's second para powerlifting medal at these Games, following Ashok Kumar Malik's silver in the men's 65kg on Tuesday.
Tamil Nadu powerlifter Kasthuri Rajamani claimed a silver medal in the women's 67kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on Wednesday, 21 October, recording a best lift of 108kg in a composed three-attempt display. The result hands India its second para powerlifting medal of the ongoing Games.
How the Competition Unfolded
Rajamani approached the contest methodically, opening with a successful 103kg lift before progressing to 106kg in her second attempt. In her final effort, she cleared 108kg — the mark that ultimately secured her place on the podium. The silver medal was not confirmed until the closing stages, when South Korea's Kim Hyeonghui failed to improve beyond her earlier best, leaving a decisive one-kilogram gap between the two athletes.
Uzbekistan's Rukhshona Uktamova dominated the field, claiming gold with a lift of 127kg. Kim finished third with a best effort of 107kg, completing the podium.
A Personal Journey Marked by Resilience
At 42 years old, Rajamani's achievement is underscored by the personal adversity she has navigated throughout her life. Living with polio affecting both legs, she lost her mother during childhood and was subsequently raised by her grandmother. Her progression to continental-level competition is a testament to the determination she has brought to the sport over many years.
Notably, Rajamani had finished fifth at the previous edition of the Asian Para Games, making this silver a significant leap forward and a reflection of the improvements she has made in her competitive preparation.
India's Growing Para Powerlifting Footprint
Rajamani's medal is India's second in para powerlifting at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. On Tuesday, Ashok Kumar Malik had opened the country's account in the discipline by winning silver in the men's 65kg category — himself an improvement on the bronze he had secured at the previous edition.
This is the first time India has placed two para powerlifters on the continental podium at the same Games edition, signalling a broader upward trend in the discipline's depth and competitive standard within the country's para-sport programme.
What It Means Going Forward
With the Aichi-Nagoya Games still ongoing, India's para powerlifting contingent will look to build on this momentum. Rajamani's 108kg effort not only earned her individual recognition on the continental stage but also reinforces the credibility of India's growing para-athletics pipeline ahead of future international cycles.
Point of View
Both improving on their previous Games finishes, suggests a programme that is consistently producing rather than occasionally peaking. The more meaningful question is whether the Sports Authority of India and Paralympic Committee will now resource this discipline with the sustained coaching infrastructure it clearly merits, rather than treating these results as one-off vindications.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kasthuri Rajamani and what did she win at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Kasthuri Rajamani is a 42-year-old powerlifter from Tamil Nadu who won the silver medal in the women's 67kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on 21 October. She recorded a best lift of 108kg across three attempts to finish second in the event.
Who won the gold medal in the women's 67kg powerlifting at Aichi-Nagoya 2026?
Uzbekistan's Rukhshona Uktamova claimed gold with a lift of 127kg, comfortably ahead of the field. South Korea's Kim Hyeonghui took bronze with 107kg, one kilogram below Rajamani's silver-winning effort.
How did Rajamani's result compare to her previous Asian Para Games performance?
Rajamani had finished fifth at the previous edition of the Asian Para Games, making her 2026 silver a significant improvement. The result reflects consistent progress in her training and competitive preparation over the intervening cycle.
How many para powerlifting medals has India won at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
India has won two para powerlifting medals at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Ashok Kumar Malik won silver in the men's 65kg on Tuesday, and Kasthuri Rajamani followed with silver in the women's 67kg on Wednesday — the country's strongest showing in the discipline at a single Games edition.
What personal challenges has Kasthuri Rajamani overcome?
Rajamani lives with polio affecting both legs and lost her mother during childhood, being raised subsequently by her grandmother. Her rise to continental-level podium competition is widely regarded as a story of exceptional personal resilience alongside athletic achievement.
