Powerlifter Keyaa Banerji speaks out on online harassment after viral deadlift video
Keyaa Banerji, an Indian powerlifter who gained widespread attention for a 140-kg deadlift at the 2026 Junior Powerlifting Championships, has opened up about being sexually harassed online. The 21-year-old athlete explained that fake accounts were created in her name and that thousands of AI-manipulated images featuring her likeness began circulating. She stated, "I just want to exist as a girl who likes to deadlift," while noting that she has also been subjected to abuse regarding her caste, ancestry, and ethnic background.