Powerlifting isn’t too popular a sport in India. But there are some who wish to travel the uncommon path and leave a message across for aspiring sportspersons. Aditi Nandy is one such.
In her very first appearance at the National Powerlifting Championship held at the Din Dayal Indoor Stadium in Surat from March 16-20, the 32-year-old, representing Bengal, bagged silver. She participated in unequipped deadlift in the 48-52kg bodyweight category and lifted 80kg to finish second among 300 participants.
“We Bengal athletes don’t get much opportunities in our state. For me, it was my first nationals and I was overwhelmed that I could qualify, which itself was a big thing. I did not have a coach then. I did it all by myself.
“I had also missed the state trial for the nationals. Thankfully, I had sent my video for the nationals and the authorities there forwarded it to the federation (Indian Powerlifting Federation registered under the ministry of youth and sports), which then agreed to my qualification,” Aditi, who resides in Behala, said.
Her ride so far, though, hasn’t been smooth. Her family wasn’t very supportive of a girl taking to powerlifting and Aditi’s aspirations could have taken a hit. But she did not lose focus.
“When I started powerlifting a year ago, I faced a lot of criticisms and bottlenecks. My family were scared about those clots that come with lifting heavy weights. Also, the myth people have about girls doing powerlifting or weightlifting is that they’ll grow muscles, which is absolutely wrong. Lifting weights only makes us stronger.
“Powerlifting may give you a lot of bruises and pain, but that’s a different kind of high when you get a medal and recognition,” Aditi continued.
A student of Indian Institute of Management (Calcutta), an assistant general manager (HR) in a public limited company as well as a certified Zumba instructor, Aditi wears quite a few hats. At present, though, she has only one goal: gold in the next powerlifting nationals this June/July, which would then boost her mindset massively going into next year’s world championship.
“There are three movements in powerlifting: squat, benchpress and deadlift. So in the next nationals, I would like to go for full power, which means three of them together. And after winning a national gold medal, I’ll then set sights on the world championship,” Aditi said.
“Powerlifting is my passion and now that I’ve entered the national arena, I would like to take it up further and add more glory to Bengal powerlifters,” she emphasised.
