Powerlifter Keyaa Banerji describes online abuse, impersonation, and AI images after silver win

Indian powerlifter Keyaa Kunal Banerji has opened up about the disturbing online abuse she says followed her breakthrough performance at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships. The 21-year-old went viral after lifting 140kg in the deadlift to win silver in the Junior Women’s 47kg category. She has now revealed that the attention also brought sexual harassment, impersonation and the creation of AI-generated images using her face and body without her consent. indian powerlifter Keyaa Banerji has called out the online s*xual harr@ssment, non-consensual AI images, impersonator accouts & disturbing online commentary about her ethnicity following her silver medal win at the IPF Jr World Championships pic.twitter.com/LPL3D3ZKUn— namasteFirst (@namastefirst) September 4, 2026 Who is Keyaa Banerji?Banerji competed at the championships in Sun City, South Africa, where she recorded a 90kg squat, 50kg bench press and 140kg deadlift for a 280kg total. Her 140kg deadlift earned her silver in the individual event, while she finished fifth overall in the 47kg junior category. Weighing 45.70kg at the competition, Banerji lifted more than three times her body weight. Alongside her sporting achievements, she went viral online for her looks. Many termed her as the 'most beautiful' powerlifter in the world, with comments made on her 'Bengali genes' and her 'K-Pop' style look. Internet amused by Indian powerlifter Keyaa Banerji who looks straight out of animeThe 21-year-old just won junior deadlift silver at the 2026 IPF Worlds with a 140kg lift — over 3x her bodyweightSome are already calling her the most beautiful powerlifter on the planet pic.twitter.com/KZma6lstZA— RT (@RT_com) September 3, 2026 VVS Laxman To Coach Team India At Asian Games 2026 As Shreyas Iyer And Harmanpreet Kaur Lead Gold Medal Defence‘Sexual harassment online’In a post shared on social media, Banerji said she had been dealing with sexual harassment online and accounts impersonating her. She also alleged that people had made disturbing comments about her ethnicity, ancestry and caste. The powerlifter said the most troubling part was discovering thousands of AI-generated images featuring her face and body, created and edited without her consent.She said seeing AI-generated images of herself circulating without consent had made her uncomfortable. Banerji added that she would rather take “shaky steps” towards standing up for herself than remain silent while seeing different versions of herself online.

Indian powerlifter Keyaa Kunal Banerji won a silver medal at the IPF Jr Worlds competition. She now faces online sexual harassment and impersonation after her achievement. Thousands of disturbing AI-generated images using her likeness have also surfaced. Banerji expressed distress over the scale of the online abuse. She seeks to reclaim control over her online identity and celebrate her sport.