At 59, D V Shankar Rao was recovering from a major heart operation and had little reason to imagine that he would one day stand on an international sporting podium. 14 years later, the 73-year-old retired banker from Telangana has turned an unlikely second innings into a remarkable sporting achievement, winning two medals at the World Masters Powerlifting Championships in the United States.
Rao clinched an overall bronze in the Classic division and an overall silver in the Equipped division at the competition held in Reno, Nevada, in October 2026. Competing in the Masters-4, 74 kg category, he secured the bronze on October 15 before adding silver to his tally on October 22.
For the former State Bank of India officer, the moment was about much more than medals.
“Standing on the world podium at 73, representing my country and receiving two international medals, was an unforgettable moment,” Rao told PTI.
FROM HEART SURGERY TO THE WEIGHTLIFTING FLOOR
Rao’s journey into powerlifting began long after he underwent coronary artery bypass surgery in September 2012. He retired from SBI in July 2013, but it was a chance interaction during his morning walks that eventually introduced him to the sport.
A friend noticed his physique and encouraged him to start training at a gym and participate in competitions. Rao, however, was initially reluctant, given his medical history.
“I was initially hesitant since I had undergone heart bypass surgery,” he said.
His family and family doctor were also apprehensive about the idea. However, doctors who visited the gym encouraged him to continue training with caution, advising him to stop whenever he experienced breathlessness or discomfort. Others observed that his body was responding well to the workouts.
Rao began training in February 2025, and his first major breakthrough came later that year at the National Powerlifting Championship in Kozhikode, Kerala. He returned with four gold medals, an achievement that gave him the confidence to take his ambitions beyond the country.
A NEW CHAPTER AFTER RETIREMENT
The two world medals have now added an international dimension to a journey that began with a simple decision to stay active. Living in Bhadrachalam, Rao hopes his story will encourage people to look at retirement as an opportunity to pursue fresh goals rather than a period of inactivity.
He believes inspiring even a handful of senior citizens and young people to regain their confidence would be more rewarding than winning medals.
His achievement has also caught the attention of local MLA Tellam Venkata Rao, who has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommending that Rao’s story be featured on Mann Ki Baat under the theme ‘Healthy Ageing for a Stronger India’. Rao has also submitted a request through the MyGov platform.
However, he is careful not to present powerlifting as a universal prescription for people who have undergone heart surgery. He stressed that individuals must choose physical activities according to their medical condition and follow professional medical advice.
Having already won four national gold medals and two international medals, Rao is not ready to call it a day. His next target is to win gold at the World Masters Powerlifting Championships. At 73, he has shown that retirement need not mean the end of ambition.
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