A father's dream inspired her to move forward; Commonwealth Games silver medalist Gyaneshwari Yadav shares her story of struggle and success.

Deputy Chief Minister honored Gyaneshwari and her parents

Raipur. August 2026. Deputy Chief Minister and Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Shri Arun Saw honored young player from Rajnandgaon Ms. Gyaneshwari Yadav, who won the silver medal for the country in weightlifting at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. He also honored her parents at the felicitation ceremony held at his residence office in Nava Raipur. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Saw and Gyaneshwari also addressed a press conference during this. Secretary of Sports and Youth Welfare Department Shri Yashwant Kumar, Joint Director Shri Prabhakar Pandey and Deputy Director Smt. Rashmi Thakur along with officials of the Weightlifting Association and players undergoing training in various sports were also present during this time.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao said in the press conference that today is a historic and proud moment. We are congratulating Chhattisgarh and India's daughter, Gyaneshwari, who has brought glory to Chhattisgarh and India by winning the silver medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Gyaneshwari's achievement will usher in a new environment for sports in Chhattisgarh. I also heartily congratulate her father, Shri Deepak Yadav, and mother, Smt. Durga Yadav, who gave birth to such a promising daughter who has brought prestige to India and Chhattisgarh globally. It is hoped that the youth of Chhattisgarh will draw inspiration from Gyaneshwari and perform well in national and international competitions.

Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Saw said that since our government was formed in the state, we have been continuously working for the progress and betterment of sports and athletes. To promote sports and athletes, we are continuously organizing events like Bastar Olympics, Surguja Olympics, and Sports Conclave. We have resumed sports awards and the announcement of outstanding athletes. Work is also continuously being done to strengthen sports infrastructure in Chhattisgarh. There is no shortage of sports talent in the state. They need to be trained well, honed, and groomed. We have begun preparations to ensure that India wins medals in more competitions in the future.

Challenges made me stronger – Ms. Gyaneshwari Yadav

Rajnandgaon weightlifter Ms. Gyaneshwari Yadav, a silver medalist at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, said at a press conference that some time ago, when she first competed on a big stage like the World Championships, she felt immense pressure and nervousness. At the time, it felt like a competition she had never experienced before. However, that experience taught her how to face big competitions and how to prepare herself mentally.

Gyaneshwari said that after the experience at the World Championships, she learned to mentally prepare herself for every competition. Her goal is to give her 100% performance on any big stage, and this thought motivates her to keep moving forward.

Recalling her struggles, she said that her father's dream was her greatest strength. In her early days, her father would take her to the gym on his bicycle. During that time, her father told her that while he himself could never reach the national or international level, he wanted his daughter to represent India and raise the tricolor high.

Gyaneshwari, becoming emotional, said that her father worked tirelessly for her. She explained that her father took care of every need, from her food to her training. Her father worked tirelessly day and night to ensure a better future for her family and her preparation. Her father's sacrifice, dedication, and struggle are the biggest inspiration behind her every achievement today.

Gyaneshwari said that every challenge in her life has made her stronger. The experiences gained from difficult situations have not only made her a better player but also given her the confidence to represent her country on the big stage.