City power lifter sets record, wins two gold in Russia

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 18

City-based Veshal Khanna has registered himself in record books by lifting 540 pounds (approx 245 kg) and bagging the title. He is India’s only power lifter to achieve the feat.

Competing in World Championship held in Moscow (Russia) from December 8 to 11, Khanna secured two gold medals in raw bench press in the 125kg open weight class and in sub-master by lifting 540 pounds.

Despite odds he had to face health wise before the tournament, Khanna aspires for more. He said, “I felt honoured and proud when they announced my name as the strongest bench presser in the history of India. It was a real morale booster and one of the greatest achievements in my career.”

“I am still not satisfied with my performance because what I wanted and targeted, I could not achieve,” he added.

“My next target is to achieve 300 kg, get in top five lifters of the world,” he said.

The event saw competitors from 15 countries, including Russia, Iran, Peru, Argentina, Hungary, USA, Georgia and Bulgaria. As many as 2,100 lifters participated in World Championship organised by the Global Power Lifting Alliance (GPA). Fourteen lifters were in Khanna’s weight category.

The India Raw Power Lifting Federation (IRPF), affiliated with major power lifting federations of world, gave him an opportunity to compete on the global platform. Khanna said, “Like many other sports, power lifting, too, is struggling due to lack of opportunities. It is currently being supported and promoted by individual players.”

Pursuing power lifting since 14 years, Khanna has won many championships in Europe, Russia and Australia. He also serves a as motivator and promoter for other aspiring power lifters. Two of his team members — Azamathulla Mukarrum Mohammed and Raghavendra Shivanand Hondadakeri — also won gold medals in their respective weight category. It was their first international outing.

Khanna will participate in championship in Baku (Azerbaijan) in November 2017.