Mangalorean Pradeep Kumar Acharya bags gold for India in commonwealth powerlifting
Mangaluru: It is indeed a proud moment for Mangaloreans to note that a young macho man Pradeep Kumar Acharya from Urwa Store in the City, who had represented India in the 83 kg senior division of Commonwealth Bench-press Power-lifting Championship held at St John’s-Canada, has emerged as a winner by bagging the gold medal for India in the 83 kg senior category, which was held on Tuesday, 17 September 2019. Prior to this Championship, Pradeep had taken part in Eight international Power-lifting events and has won medals for India in South Africa,
Australia, Hongkong and Dubai in the last 2 two years.
In the just-concluded power-lifting championship in Canada, Pradeep won the First place registering a total lift of 210 kg, followed by Tom Keen, who registered lift of 180 kg getting the silver medal, while Rob Dyke bagging the bronze medal. It was Pradeep’s very first attempt, that he bagged the Gold, after he lifted 200 kg, and today (Wednesday) he will be competing in another segment of this Championship. Along with Pradeep’s efforts in bagging the Gold, India has got three gold medals in this championship in which two other contestants from Tamil Nadu had won gold on Monday.
Speaking to media Pradeep said that due to visa denial by the immigration department, 15 power-lifters from Karnataka could not take part in the championship, and therefore he dedicated his gold medal to them. Pradeep was trained by Sathish Kumar of Balanjaneya Gym. It is also learnt that out of 60 from India who wanted to take part, only 30 had got the visa.
Prior to going to Canada to compete in this Championship Pradeep had sought the support from people, where he had said, “I am a very successful powerlifting coach training international level champions. I’m also a participant in international competitions. I need all your support to make my nation, my India proud. I have participated in 8 international Powerlifting events and won medals for India in South Africa, Australia, Hongkong and Dubai in the last 2 two years. I am now selected for Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships 2019 to be held at Canada in September 2019. I have sacrificed my personal life, training young powerlifters, where 4 students also are participating in this Commonwealth event in Canada along with me. (Deepa K S, Rithvik K V, Panchami and Swathi UK). I have spent in Lakhs of Rupees for their training to reach this international standard”.
“I am mentioning all these because I have spent a lot to train myself and my students for India. My personal savings is zero. From last year, I spent all my earnings on this sport. I have taken jewel loan number of times. Nothing left. Now the day has come to prove what we have done since many years to reach this stage. We will win medals for the country. Pls help us”, said Pradeep. Seems like his efforts were heard by God, and he achieved what he dreamt for.
Team Mangalorean congratulates Pradeep on his achievement and wishes him all success in bagging many more medals.
