595-Pound Barbell Crushes Neck of 17-Year-Old Powerlifting Champion, Leading to Her Death
POWERLIFTER – A 17-year-old powerlifting champion tragically lost her life after a 595-pound (270 kg) barbell fell on her neck during a training session.
Yashtika Acharya was practicing at a gym in Bikaner, Rajasthan, when the accident occurred. According to Vikram Tiwari, the station house officer at Naya Shahar, she was lifting weights under the supervision of her trainer when she suddenly lost balance. The heavy barbell came crashing down on her neck, leaving her severely injured.
Other gym members quickly rushed to help, and her coach attempted CPR, but she showed no signs of recovery. She was immediately taken to the nearest hospital, where doctors confirmed her passing.
Despite the tragic incident, Acharya’s family did not file any complaints regarding the accident. A post-mortem examination was conducted, and her remains were returned to her family on Wednesday, February 19.
Acharya was a rising star in powerlifting, having won gold at the Junior National Games. She also secured first place in the National Bench Press Championship in the sub-junior category (84 kg and above). Her untimely passing has left the powerlifting community mourning the loss of a promising young athlete.
Meanwhile, powerlifting is a strength-based sport that focuses on three main exercises: the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Unlike other strength sports, powerlifting is all about lifting the heaviest weight possible in each exercise. In competitions, an athlete’s final score is based on the total weight they successfully lift across these three movements. This sport requires a mix of pure strength, proper technique, and self-discipline, with strict rules to ensure correct form and safety.
Powerlifting is different from Olympic weightlifting, which includes two quick and powerful lifts—the snatch and the clean & jerk. While Olympic lifters focus on speed, flexibility, and skill, powerlifters concentrate on pure strength and controlled movements. Another key difference is between powerlifting and bodybuilding. Powerlifters train to build strength by lifting heavy weights with fewer repetitions, while bodybuilders focus on muscle size, shape, and balance, usually lifting lighter weights with more repetitions.
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