Vijayawada: At 17, Bollu Likitha has already made her mark on the international powerlifting stage, winning multiple gold medals and setting a Commonwealth deadlift record at her first international competition. But behind the milestone lies a substantial financial commitment from her family, with her mother spending around ₹4.5 lakh to help her compete in the championship. As the Guntur-based lifter prepares for her next challenge, the All India Inter-University Powerlifting Championship, she hopes to build on her international success and secure support for her future sporting ambitions.At the 2026 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Canada last month, Likitha lifted 120 kg in the squat, 50 kg in the bench press and 137.5 kg in the deadlift, recording a combined total of 307.5 kg. She won gold medals in the overall, squat, bench press and deadlift categories and set a Commonwealth record with her 137.5 kg deadlift.For Likitha, the achievement marked a significant step forward after competing in four national championships and one Federation Cup. Her earlier accomplishments include a silver medal in equipped powerlifting and a bronze medal in classic powerlifting at the national level, as well as gold at the 2025 Powerlifting Federation Cup Championships.The cost of competing internationally, however, remains a significant concern. Likitha said the expenditure on her participation in the Commonwealth Championships was approximately ₹4.5 lakh, including ₹4,00,500 towards air tickets, accommodation and competition entry fees, and another ₹50,000 towards other expenses. Her mother bore the entire cost. Likitha said her father died when she was a child, adding that her mother’s financial support and encouragement had played a crucial role in her sporting journey.Likitha said she had not received financial assistance, cash awards or sponsorships from the government following her Commonwealth performance. Although she has not yet applied for government assistance, she plans to approach the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP), hoping to secure support to meet the expenses of future competitions.She said weather conditions, time-zone changes and her physical condition affected her performance in Canada, preventing her from lifting her best weights. Nevertheless, her medals and Commonwealth record have strengthened her determination to improve.Likitha is now training for the All India Inter-University Powerlifting Championship, although its date has yet to be confirmed. Having competed in the sub-junior category, she hopes to win medals in the junior and senior categories, break more records and represent India in future international competitions.
