Eighteen-year-old Sairaj Pardesi from Manmad, Maharashtra, made history at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, clinching gold in the junior men’s 88 kg category. Not only did he win, but he also shattered junior Commonwealth records with a total lift of 348 kg, comprising 157 kg in snatch and 191 kg in clean and jerk. What made his feat even more extraordinary was that his total surpassed the senior category winner’s tally of 347 kg, proving that Pardesi is already capable of competing at the highest levels of the sport. This achievement has been hailed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as a shining symbol of India’s emerging youth talent and a hopeful sign for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

From Scrap to Glory: A Journey Rooted in Struggles

Behind this golden moment lies a story of remarkable perseverance. Pardesi is the son of a scrap dealer from Manmad, a small town in Maharashtra. Growing up in modest surroundings, he often helped his father in collecting and sorting scrap. But alongside this hard life, a dream began to take shape. Inspired by his siblings and driven by an inner passion, young Sairaj turned to weightlifting. With makeshift equipment and basic training, he began training in his craft under the guidance of Coach Pravin Vyavahare. Later, he gained admission into the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Aurangabad. His rise shows how talent and determination can emerge from India’s smallest towns.

A Performance to Remember

At Ahmedabad, Pardesi produced a near-perfect show of strength, composure, and consistency, completing all six of his attempts successfully—a rare achievement at the junior level. In the process, he surpassed the existing junior snatch record of 155 kg held by Fiji’s Nehemiah Elder with a lift of 157 kg, improved upon his own junior clean and jerk record by raising the bar from 186 kg to a stunning 191 kg, and bettered his previous total record of 338 kg by a full 10 kg. What stood out, however, was not just the numbers, but the maturity and calmness he displayed on stage. Each lift was executed with remarkable focus, showcasing both his technical finesse and mental toughness, qualities that truly define champions.

Recognition and National Pride

The moment Pardesi’s final lift was confirmed, celebrations erupted both in Ahmedabad and back in his hometown of Manmad. At the medal ceremony, the auditorium thundered with cheers, marking India’s growing strength in weightlifting. What makes Pardesi’s gold historic is how it reshaped the benchmarks of junior weightlifting. His total of 348 kg wasn’t only a record; it was better than the senior gold medal-winning total at the same event, a rare feat in international weightlifting. 

His achievement follows a clear pattern of steady improvement, reflecting both his talent and disciplined growth as an athlete. In 2024, Pardesi announced his arrival on the international stage by winning gold at the Asian Youth & Junior Championships in Doha with a record total of 310 kg. Earlier in 2025, he carried that momentum forward with a bronze at the Asian Junior Championships, improving his total to 338 kg. By August 2025, he reached a new high at the Commonwealth Championships, lifting 348 kg to clinch gold and break multiple records. This upward trajectory shows that Pardesi is progressing at the right pace, positioning himself as one of India’s most promising prospects in world weightlifting.

Eyes on Los Angeles 2028

While Pardesi’s numbers are already senior-competitive, the federation is following a cautious approach. He is being gradually exposed to bigger international events to avoid burnout and ensure long-term stability in weight and technique. Currently training at the National Centre of Excellence in Patiala, his focus is on building consistency for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 

Experts believe that as he matures physically and optimizes his weight category, his totals could go even higher. The balancing act between ambition and athlete welfare remains key, but if nurtured well, Pardesi could emerge as one of India’s greatest weightlifters. At its heart, Sairaj Pardesi’s story is not just about kilograms lifted but about dreams carried. From a scrap dealer’s son lifting makeshift weights in Manmad to lifting record-breaking totals in front of the world, his journey is a ray of hope and inspiration. As India celebrates his golden lift, one thing is certain: this is only the beginning. The world of weightlifting has just been introduced to a name that could one day stand tall on the Olympic podium.