“We were the youngest contestants in the competition that mostly attracted professionals and national-level gold medalists. Practicing six times a week, helped make it possible,” shared the Amrita students who participated in the State Level Power Lifting Championship during November 13-14, 2012.
The seven member student team consisting of Roshan E. (Final Year, BBM), Midhun T. M. and Kannan Sasikumar (Second Year, BBM), Giri Bhushan C. H. (Final Year, BTech EEE), Siddharth S., (Third Year, BTech EEE), Midhun Prasad (Second Year, MTech ME) and Sai Srikanth (Second Year, BTech CSE) brought home three bronze medals.
The first medal was won by the team placing third, based on their combined performance in the 59 kg, 66 kg, 74 kg and 83 kg categories.
In addition, Roshan E. and Giri Bhushan C. H. grabbed two individual bronze medals in the men’s 93 kg and 105 kg categories, successfully lifting 355 kg and 345 kg respectively.
The event in Erattupetta, Kottayam was organized by the State Sports Council.
“We would like to thank Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham for providing us with world-class equipment and training facilities. This was what really helped us,” the winning students unanimously agreed.
“We are also extremely grateful to our coach, who was a great source of motivation for us,” they added.
Their coach, Mr. Bijeesh C, has an impressive track record. 2007-2009 – National Champion and Strong Man of India Award. 2009 & 2010 – all-India inter-institution medals. Twice, he won the Strong Man of Kerala Award. And on two opportunities he was invited to represent the team internationally – but unfortunately due to injuries, he was not able to do so.
“This is just the beginning for us. The students are young, but they put forth a mature performance. We are aiming for gold medals in the upcoming national level contest. I strongly believe that my students can achieve that. We will try our best. The rest is in the hands of Almighty,” Mr. Bijeesh shared.
Commenting on the students’ training, he added, “They learned the basics pretty quickly and worked very hard for the past six months. They earned the fruits of constant perseverance and discipline. Now they are capable of achieving even more spectacular results.”
Roshan and Giri, who won individual medals, were regularly exercising with bench press and squat exercises, even before beginning their training for power lifting. Their Amrita trainer, Agile PK, also a power lifting champion, suggested they try power lifting, after seeing their performance.
“We have noticed that practicing regularly not only boosted our physical health, but also improved our concentration levels. Thus we also received benefits with regard to our studies, which are going well,” the duo shared.
They and their team mates were recently honored at a special outdoor function organized at the Amritapuri campus on November 28, 2012. Olympic swimming champion Shri. Matti Rajakylä aka Akhilesh, who lives at the Amritapuri ashram and Kerala state foot ball player Shri. Kannan felicitated the young champions.
November 29, 2012
Amritapuri Campus
