17-Year-Old Weightlifter Yashtika Acharya Dies in Tragic Gym Accident
17-Year-Old Weightlifter Yashtika Acharya Dies in Tragic Gym Accident
National-level weightlifter Yashtika Acharya, just 17 years old, tragically lost her life while training at a gym in Bikaner on Wednesday. She was performing squats with a 270-kg weight when the bar slipped and fell on her neck, causing her to collapse.
Tragic loss of a young athlete! 🏋️♀️💔 In Rajasthan's Bikaner, 1️⃣7️⃣-year-old power-lifter Yashtika Acharya, a Junior National Games gold medalist tragically lost her life while lifting 2️⃣7️⃣0️⃣ kg in the gym in the presence of a coach, a heavy
— Aarav Gautam (@IAmAarav8) February 19, 2025
1/2 pic.twitter.com/UDPQnq3SmT
Shock and Grief in the Sports Community
Yashtika’s sudden passing has left her family, fellow athletes, and the sports world in deep mourning. Many people have shared tributes for the young athlete, who had a bright future ahead in powerlifting.
What is Powerlifting?
Powerlifting is a strength-based sport that involves three main lifts:
- Squat (where the barbell rests on the shoulders, and the lifter lowers into a squat before standing back up)
- Bench press
- Deadlift
Gym Accident Leads to Tragedy
Officials said Yashtika fainted from the impact of the heavy barbell. Gym trainers and fellow athletes rushed to help, giving her CPR before taking her to a nearby hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival.
Vikram Tiwari, an officer from Naya Shahar police station, confirmed that CCTV footage from the gym matched the reported incident. Her family has not filed a complaint and chose not to conduct a post-mortem. Authorities have now handed over her body for last rites.
Who Was Yashtika Acharya?
Yashtika was a talented young powerlifter. She had recently won gold and silver medals at the 33rd National Bench Press Championship in Goa. Competing in the Sub-Junior 84kg and above category, she was seen as a rising star in Indian powerlifting.
