Maibam Gulubi Claims Major Gold at Asian Bench Press Championship

Maibam Gulubi has brought fresh international recognition to Manipur after winning a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Classic and Equipped Bench Press Championship in Istanbul, Türkiye. The young powerlifter represented India in the Junior Women’s 57-kilogram category, adding another significant achievement to her growing career.

The championship brought together athletes from across Asia in Istanbul from September 22 to 27. Gulubi was part of the Indian contingent listed for the Junior Women’s 57kg category in the Asian women’s equipped bench press competition.

Maibam Gulubi makes mark in Istanbul

Gulubi’s gold medal comes after her selection to represent India at the continental championship. Before the competition, reports from Manipur said she would compete in both the Classic and Equipped Bench Press events in the Junior Women’s 57kg category. She trained under the Manipur Powerlifting Association and was identified as a student of Kamakhya Pemton College in Hiyangthang, Imphal West.

Her participation in Istanbul gave the Manipur athlete an opportunity to compete at a major international level against lifters from across the continent. The achievement now places her among the young Indian powerlifters gaining attention through international competition.

The Asian championship was held in Türkiye between September 22 and 27, according to the official competition nomination information. India fielded several athletes across the women’s categories, including Gulubi in the junior 57kg division.

A growing record in Indian powerlifting

The latest medal adds to Gulubi’s record in domestic competitions. Powerlifting India records show her competing in the junior women’s 57kg category at national-level events.

At the 2025 National Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championship, Gulubi recorded a 280kg total in the 57kg category, with a 115kg squat, 47.5kg bench press and 117.5kg deadlift.

She also competed at the National Equipped Bench Press Championship in January 2026. In the junior women’s 57kg category, she recorded a best bench press of 62.5kg, finishing third in the event.

These results show a progression from domestic competition to a major Asian championship, underlining her development as a competitive powerlifter.

Manipur celebrates international achievement

The gold medal has also drawn recognition from the Manipur government. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh congratulated Gulubi for her performance and said her achievement had brought pride to Manipur and the country. He also wished her continued success and expressed hope that she would reach greater heights and inspire young athletes.

For Manipur, the achievement adds to the state’s long record of producing athletes who compete at national and international levels. Powerlifting has also maintained a strong grassroots presence in the state, with local championships attracting athletes across sub-junior, junior, senior and masters categories.

Gulubi’s earlier domestic performances have come through this competitive environment. In a 2024 state-level bench press championship, she won the junior girls’ 57kg category with a 47.5kg lift, according to The Sangai Express.

India’s young powerlifting talent gains attention

Gulubi’s international success comes as Indian powerlifting continues to provide opportunities for younger athletes through junior and senior competitions. Her selection for the Istanbul championship reflected her position within India’s junior powerlifting setup.

The competition also offered Indian lifters exposure to different formats of bench pressing. Gulubi was scheduled to participate in both classic and equipped events, giving her experience across two recognised formats of the discipline.

Her progress from state-level competition to national championships and then the Asian stage highlights the pathway available to emerging lifters who continue to perform consistently.

Gold medal boosts Manipur’s sporting profile

The Istanbul gold gives Gulubi another important milestone at a relatively early stage of her career. It also provides a boost to Manipur’s growing sporting profile, particularly in strength sports where athletes from the state continue to compete at national and international events.

With her latest international success, Gulubi will now have an important result to build on as she continues her competitive journey. Her gold medal in Istanbul has brought recognition to her hard work and placed another Manipur athlete in the international sporting spotlight.

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