Sexism’s Heavy Load: Powerlifter Keyaa Banerji’s Unwelcome Viral Fame

The online world can be a harsh environment for women who excel in traditionally male-dominated sports. For 21-year-old Indian powerlifter Keyaa Kunal Banerji, the aftermath of her impressive 140kg deadlift at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships was a stark reminder of this reality.

Banerji’s achievement in Sun City, South Africa, was remarkable. Weighing just 45.70kg herself, she pulled an astonishing three times her body weight to finish second in the individual deadlift event and claim a silver medal. However, as the clip of her lift spread across social media, Banerji faced a more uncomfortable side of online fame.

The trolls came out in force, with thousands of AI-generated manipulated images using her likeness flooding her feeds. She was subjected to fake accounts, misuse of her images, and an endless stream of unpleasant comments. For Banerji, the experience was not just about unwanted attention – it was a stark example of the sexism women athletes encounter when their achievements attract a large online audience.

Banerji’s reaction to the situation is telling: “I think it was just sexism at its finest,” she said in an interview with ANI. “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.” Her words are a sobering reminder of the harsh double standard women athletes often face online.

The irony is not lost on Banerji herself. The lift that drew widespread attention was the product of years of hard work and dedication, a sport she has come to deeply enjoy. However, despite her impressive achievement, the conversation surrounding her victory quickly devolved into unwanted commentary on her appearance: “Most of the conversation revolved around my appearance,” she noted wryly. “All people would talk about was my appearance, and I think that really bothered me because I had accomplished something so big for myself and I had done something so big in my sport.”

This kind of focus on appearance rather than achievement is a symptom of a wider societal issue – the tendency to reduce women athletes to their physical appearance, rather than celebrating their skills and accomplishments. This phenomenon has been observed in various sports, from tennis to football, where women are often subjected to unwanted scrutiny of their bodies.

Banerji’s own passion for powerlifting is refreshing: “I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be talking about my sport and my journey,” she said in a recent interview. “Powerlifting is not just about lifting heavy weights – it’s a highly technical discipline that requires precision, strength, and control.” Her words are a testament to the fact that women athletes deserve respect for their skills and achievements, rather than being reduced to unwanted commentary on their appearance.

The reaction of trolls and online commentators to Banerji’s achievement highlights a worrying trend. In an era where social media has created a platform for anonymous abuse, women athletes like Banerji are increasingly vulnerable to harassment and intimidation. This is not just a problem for individual athletes – it has wider implications for the sports industry as a whole.

As we celebrate the achievements of women athletes, we must also acknowledge the darker side of online fame. It’s time to hold social media platforms accountable for allowing this kind of abuse to flourish, and to create a more supportive environment for women athletes who dare to excel in male-dominated sports.

Ultimately, Banerji’s story is a reminder that we have a long way to go before we achieve true equality for women athletes. But as she notes, “I’m over it.” And that’s precisely the message we should take away from her remarkable achievement: women athletes deserve respect, support, and admiration for their skills and accomplishments – not unwanted commentary on their appearance.