Excelsior Sports Correspondent
KATHUA, Oct 15: Team J&K brought laurels to the country by winning several gold and silver medals at the World Cup Powerlifting Championship held in Kathmandu, Nepal. Led by World Champion Adv. HP Singh Jasrotia (Bablu), the team represented India at the international event and received a grand welcome at Kalibari Chowk, Kathua, upon its return. Locals and sports enthusiasts greeted the medal winners with drum beats, flower garlands and celebratory slogans.
Umesh Kumar won three silver medals in squat, bench press and deadlift in the senior open category of SBD full powerlifting. Muskan clinched a gold medal in the sub-junior SBD full powerlifting category, while Shivangi Sharma secured gold in the senior bench press event. Jatin Pangotra won gold in the teen SBD full powerlifting category, and Vijay Paul Singh bagged gold in the masters deadlift event.
Team leader HP Singh Jasrotia-Bablu added two gold medals in the masters category, winning in bench press and deadlift. He also achieved a personal record by lifting 110 kg in bench press.
Speaking to the media, Jasrotia expressed pride in the team’s performance and thanked the people of Kathua, supporters, sponsors, well-wishers and athletes’ families for their encouragement. He said representing India at an international championship was a matter of great honour and appreciated the warm reception accorded to the athletes.
He also appealed to the Government, sports authorities and institutions to provide better training facilities, modern equipment, financial assistance and opportunities for emerging powerlifters. He stressed that talented athletes should not have to abandon their sporting ambitions due to financial constraints or lack of resources.
