Indian powerlifter Keyaa Kunal Banerji speaks out against online harassment and objectification after winning silver medal
Quick Look
Indian powerlifter Keyaa Kunal Banerji, 21, who won silver in the dead lift at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in South Africa, reported facing online harassment, cyberbullying, fake accounts, photo misuse, and thousands of unauthorized AI-altered images after a video of her performance went viral, calling the treatment 'sexism at its finest'.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Keyaa Kunal Banerji, a 21-year-old Indian powerlifter, won a silver medal in the dead lift event at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa, lifting 140kg in the Junior Women’s 47kg category.
An Indian powerlifter who won a silver medal at a world championship has spoken out after being targeted with online harassment and objectified for her looks, calling the ordeal “sexism at its finest”.
Keyaa Kunal Banerji, 21, showed remarkable strength early in her career at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa, late last month.
Weighing 45.7kg in the Junior Women’s 47kg category, Banerji pulled 140kg in the dead lift, more than three times her body weight, to claim second place in the individual dead lift event and secure a silver medal.
However, after a video of her performance went viral online, the promising young athlete was forced to navigate unwelcome internet fame as public discussion quickly shifted away from her athletic achievement and towards her physical appearance.
According to Indian news agency ANI, Banerji faced cyberbullying, attacks from fake accounts, photo misuse, and thousands of unauthorised AI-altered images generated using her likeness.
“I think it was just sexism at its finest. I don’t think I can put it any other way. The way I was treated, men would never have to face this, like after winning a championship or something like that; a male athlete never has to face something like this,” Banerji said.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Social media platforms will face increased pressure to implement stricter controls on AI-generated deepfake content targeting athletes
Likely · Within months
Sports organizations like the IPF will introduce or strengthen policies to protect athletes from online harassment and cyberbullying
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What actions are being taken to address the cyberbullying and misuse of Banerji's likeness?
- Are there any legal or platform-based measures being pursued against the fake accounts and AI-generated images?
- How is the International Powerlifting Federation responding to the harassment of its athletes?
- What support systems are available for athletes facing online objectification?
