Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 20 Feb 2025
17-Year-Old National Powerlifter Yashtika Acharya Breaks Neck While Attempting 270 Kg Lift, Dies; How To Lift Weights Safely?
Despite immediate rescue attempts at the gym and subsequent transfer to a nearby hospital, Yashtika was pronounced dead (Pic: Screen grab from video posted on X)
A national-level powerlifting athlete died in a tragic accident at a gym in Rajasthan's Bikaner. Yashtika Acharya, a 17-year-old gold medallist powerlifter, suffered fatal injuries during her training session when a 270-kg weight bar fell on her neck.
According to eyewitnesses, despite immediate rescue attempts at the gym and subsequent transfer to a nearby hospital, she was pronounced dead.
How did Yashtika get injured?
News reports say the incident occurred in the evening when Yashtika was practicing at a private gym—attempting a squat under her coach's supervision, but she lost balance. Thereafter, the weight bar slipped from her grip and fell on her neck.
In a video widely circulating on social media, it can be seen that the coach and other athletes present quickly removed the bar and attempted CPR; she had already lost consciousness. Even her trainer sustained minor injuries during the accident.
Yashtika bagged a gold medal at the National Bench Press Championship in Goa last year in the Sub-Junior 84 kg and above category.
What is powerlifting?
Powerlifting is a competitive strength sport, which consists of three barbell lifts - back squat, bench press, and deadlift. Competitive powerlifters work hard to increase the maximum amount of weight they can lift for each of these movements. In competitions, they have three tries to successfully lift a pre-chosen amount of weight using each lift.
Powerlifters practice weight training to better their performance in the three competitive lifts, which include weight training routines. Training for the athletes is different from bodybuilding and weightlifting, with less focus on volume and hypertrophy than bodybuilding and also less focus on power generation than weightlifting.
Is powerlifting dangerous?
According to experts, powerlifting can be extremely dangerous if not done correctly. Athletes have to work with their coach to ensure a proper form that avoids injuries. Coaches also double as spotters to make workouts safer than lifting solo.
Here are a few tips to do powerlifting safely:
- Use a spotter, especially when you are trying a new lift or lifting heavier weights than usual.
- Always use spotting arms for bench presses and back squats, which helps you to safely get out of the lift without a spotter if you cannot complete the lift.
- In addition to using proper technique to perform the lifts themselves, use good form when loading and unloading the bar and moving heavy weights around the gym.
- Stop lifting if you feel pain.
- Use safety clips on your barbell when doing back squats and deadlifts, which prevent the weights from falling off and injuring your feet.
- Take rest days.
- Always warm-
- Use the proper powerlifting equipment and follow all safety rules at your gym.
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