At 52, Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and powerlifter Ekta Vishnoi won three gold medals at the 2026 World Masters Classic Powerlifting Championships in Reno, Nevada, United States, according to reports. Competing in the women’s Masters 2, 57 kg category, she recorded a combined lift of 362.5 kg to finish first overall. Her achievement adds to a series of national and international performances while balancing public service with competitive sport.
According to the official competition results, Vishnoi lifted 130 kg in the squat, 72.5 kg in the bench press and 160 kg in the deadlift. Her success came despite a last-minute setback when her coach, Sunil Kumar, was reportedly denied a US visa and had to guide her remotely. Her journey highlights the importance of consistent training, fitness and determination.
A Winning Performance
Vishnoi’s latest achievement came through three powerlifting disciplines: squat, bench press and deadlift. The official competition results record her successful lifts at 130 kg in the squat, 72.5 kg in the bench press and 160 kg in the deadlift, giving her a total of 362.5 kg. She finished ahead of Canada’s Heather Ayles, who recorded 330 kg, and Japan’s Megumi Kiyota, who lifted 325 kg.
Vishnoi placed first in the squat and deadlift and second in the bench press, securing first place overall in her category. According to reports, her coach, Kumar, said the team had followed a scientific, results-oriented training approach. He reportedly explained that Vishnoi had established a 20 kg lead over her closest rival by the end of the squat event and maintained the advantage through the bench press.
Although Kumar could not travel to the United States, he continued to provide guidance through video calls, while team official Binu Ibrahim supported her at the venue. The circumstances underline the importance of preparation, adaptability and teamwork in competitive sport.
🥇𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬🥇 Indian Revenue Service officer Ekta Bishnoi scripts history by winning three gold medals at the World Masters Classic Powerlifting Championships in the United States. With this victory, she became the first Indian female powerlifter to win a gold medal in the Masters-2 category. Ekta performed brilliantly, lifting a total of 362.5 kilograms to win the gold medal, defeating strong competitors from Japan and Canada. By the end of the squat event, Ekta had established a decisive 20-kilogram lead. She successfully maintained this crucial lead throughout the bench press. Finally, with a successful opening deadlift of 150 kilograms, Ekta secured a historic gold medal for India. Ekta, along with her official duties as an IRS officer, continues to pursue rigorous powerlifting training. #EktaBishnoi #PowerLifting #GoldMedals #IRSoffice
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 18, 2026
Public Service And Fitness
Vishnoi’s sporting journey has developed alongside her government career. According to a report published in April 2024, she was an IRS officer from the 1999 batch and was then serving as Deputy Director General at the Sports Authority of India and Mission Director of the Fit India Movement.
The report also discussed her involvement in the Khelo India Scheme. Vishnoi spoke about how her interest in keeping herself fit and healthy had helped bring her to competitive powerlifting. She encouraged people to make time for their physical and mental well-being, saying that this could contribute to success in life.
These remarks connect her personal sporting journey with the broader effort to encourage fitness among Indians. Her government designations refer to her reported positions in 2024 and should not be interpreted as confirmation of her current posting.
A Journey Of Persistence
Vishnoi’s progress reflects years of dedication to training alongside professional responsibilities. According to reports, she has spoken about the importance of fitting exercise into a demanding working routine and encouraging women, particularly those over 40, to take up strength training.
Her journey demonstrates how a commitment to personal fitness can develop into competitive sport through consistent preparation and discipline. Managing training, recovery and work requires careful planning, while competing internationally demands additional focus and resilience.
Her latest performance also illustrates the value of adapting to unexpected circumstances, as she competed without her coach physically present. Rather than allowing professional responsibilities or setbacks to prevent her progress, Vishnoi continued working towards her sporting goals, building a record of participation at national and international competitions.
A Record Of Achievement
Vishnoi’s latest world-level success follows several years of competition. According to reports, she won silver in the deadlift, lifting 165 kg, and bronze overall at the National Senior Powerlifting Championship in Hyderabad in 2024. She had also secured gold at the National Masters Powerlifting Championship and won gold and silver medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Powerlifting Championships in 2022.
Competition records show that she finished second in her category at the 2025 World Classic and Equipped Masters Powerlifting Championships in South Africa, recording a total of 362.5 kg. She subsequently finished first at the Asian Masters and Open Powerlifting Championships in Türkiye in December 2025, with a total of 358.5 kg. In July 2026, she won the National Masters Powerlifting Championship with a total of 363.5 kg. These results provide context for her latest achievement and demonstrate her continued participation in the sport.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Ekta Vishnoi’s achievement reminds us that professional responsibilities and sporting ambitions can coexist when supported by discipline, opportunity and determination. Her journey challenges assumptions about age and women’s participation in competitive sport, while her advocacy for fitness highlights the importance of making time for physical and mental well-being.
Workplaces can encourage healthier routines, and sports organisations can improve access to coaching, facilities and competition opportunities for people balancing professional and personal commitments. Her story also demonstrates that fitness journeys do not need to begin in childhood or depend on expensive facilities. Beyond celebrating medals, society should work towards creating an environment where more people can discover and develop their sporting potential.
What changes would you like to see in workplaces and sports organisations to help more people balance their careers with their sporting ambitions?
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