Coimbatore Athlete Amudhini Wins Double Medals at World Kettlebell Championship

Coimbatore: Combining exceptional strength, endurance and mental resilience, Coimbatore athlete Amudhini R Vasanthi has brought home a double-medal haul from the IUKL World Kettlebell Sport Championship 2026, winning a gold and a silver medal for India at the international competition held at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi from October 4 to 9. Competing against strong international opposition, Amudhini clinched gold in the Double Arm Long Cycle Relay team event, joining hands with teammates from Delhi and Andhra Pradesh to secure the top spot on the podium. The Indian team outperformed competitors from countries including Russia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Australia, making the victory a notable achievement on the world stage. During her three-minute stint in the relay, Amudhini completed 30 repetitions while lifting two 16-kg kettlebells, contributing significantly to the team’s gold-medal performance. She followed up the team triumph with an impressive individual performance in the Military Snatch category, securing silver after completing 183 repetitions with a 16-kg kettlebell over 12 minutes without setting the weight down. The feat underscored the stamina, concentration and sustained effort demanded by the sport. A multi-sport athlete, Amudhini trains under coach Gowtham Shanmugam at Team G FIT. Having established herself through regional-level performances, she has now carried that success onto the international stage with her double-medal finish at the world championship. Returning to Coimbatore by air with her medals, Amudhini received an enthusiastic welcome from her family members at the airport. Speaking to reporters, she dedicated her achievement to her parents and coach Gowtham Shanmugam, acknowledging their encouragement and guidance throughout her sporting journey. She also expressed her hope that more women from Tamil Nadu would take up kettlebell sport, which tests not only physical strength and endurance but also mental fortitude. Calling for greater government support for emerging sporting disciplines, Amudhini urged the authorities to extend assistance to athletes competing in less widely recognised sports. She also sought incentives for sportspersons who secure victories at national and international competitions. With a gold and a silver medal from a world championship, Amudhini’s achievement marks a significant milestone in her sporting journey. Beyond her personal success, she hopes to inspire more women to take up competitive sport and pursue their ambitions on the national and international stages.