Daijiworld Media Network - Reno (US)

Reno (US), Oct 18: Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Ekta Bishnoi has created history by winning three gold medals at the World Masters Classic Powerlifting Championship in the United States.

Bishnoi lifted a total of 362.5 kg, outperforming strong competitors from Japan and Canada to claim the top honours. She became the first Indian female powerlifter to win a gold medal in the Masters-2 category at the championship.

Balancing her demanding responsibilities as an IRS officer with an intensive powerlifting training schedule, Bishnoi overcame several challenges to achieve the historic feat. In a major setback ahead of the tournament, Indian team coach Sunil Kumar was denied a US visa.

Undeterred, Bishnoi continued with her preparations, receiving guidance from Kumar through video calls. With on-ground support from team official Binu Ibrahim, she executed the competition strategy successfully to secure the historic victory.

Explaining the tactical approach behind the triumph, coach Kumar said the team adopted a scientific and result-oriented coaching strategy.

“Our strategy was crystal clear,” Kumar said, adding that Bishnoi had established a decisive 20 kg lead over her closest rival by the end of the squat event. She successfully maintained the advantage through the bench press event.

Bishnoi then opened the deadlift event with a successful lift of 150 kg, sealing the historic gold medal for India.

Bishnoi trains under Kumar’s supervision at Netaji Gym in New Delhi.

Congratulating her on the achievement, her partner Ajay Tomar, also known as Acharyaji, said the preparations ahead of the World Championship had been thorough and focused.

“We shared a single-minded goal: to win the gold medal for our motherland, India,” he said.