Indian Weightlifting Icon Geeta Rani: Achievements and the 2015 Controversy

Geeta Rani’s name is synonymous with India’s weightlifting milestones. After a bronze at the 2003 Afro‑Asian Games, she added three silver medals at the 2004 Asian Championships and a gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The sport’s governing bodies honoured her with the Arjuna Award in 2006. Yet her reputation suffered a blow when a 2015 doping test returned positive, leading to a suspension that lasted until 2017 and sidelining her from further national or international contests.