Who Was Yashtika Acharya? Junior National Games Gold Medallist Dies

A 17-year-old Yashtika Acharya, a gold medallist in the Junior National Games, lost her life during a training session. The young powerlifter from Rajasthan’s Bikaner district was practicing at the gym when a 270 kg rod fell on her neck, leading to a fatal injury.

Junior National Games Gold Medallist Dies in Tragic Powerlifting Accident 

According to Naya Shahar police officer Vikram Tiwari, the accident took place on Tuesday, February 18 while Yashtika was lifting weights under her trainer’s supervision. The heavy barbell slipped and landed directly on her neck, breaking it instantly. Though she was rushed to the hospital immediately, doctors declared her dead on arrival. The trainer also suffered minor injuries in the mishap.

A 17-year-old power-lifter, Yashtika Acharya, passed away during training in #Bikaner, #Rajasthan, as a 270kg rod fell on her neck.

The incident, which occurred under her trainer's supervision, resulted in fatal injuries and her subsequent death, deeply impacting the sporting… pic.twitter.com/EaJTLSyPRA

— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) February 19, 2025

Despite the tragic nature of the accident, Yashtika's family has not lodged any police complaint. After a post-mortem examination, her body was handed over to her family on Wednesday, February 19. 

Similar Incidents

Powerlifting is a strength-based sport where athletes attempt maximum weight lifts in three categories, squat, bench press, and deadlift. Unlike weightlifting, which is part of the Olympics, powerlifting is not an Olympic sport. It requires extreme strength and precision, and accidents, though rare, can be severe.

While sports accidents are not common, they have resulted in fatalities in the past. One of the most well-known cases was in 2014 when Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died after being struck by a bouncer during a match. Medical experts noted that only around 100 similar cases had ever been reported. Yashtika’s tragic accident now raises concerns about safety measures in powerlifting training.

Phillip Hughes death 😞 https://t.co/3jJN69YpPb pic.twitter.com/0l297OQoib

— the_maritzburg_mamba (@mr_xyz_93) July 30, 2023

Yashtika Acharya was a rising star in powerlifting, with several achievements at a young age. Her sudden death has left the sports community in mourning. Many athletes and sports enthusiasts have expressed grief and called for better safety regulations in training facilities.