Bengaluru teen Surya Radhakrishnan’s path to powerlifting success

Surya Radhakrishnan at World Powerlifting Congress/Amateur World Powerlifting Congress (WPC/AWPC) Open World Cup in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Surya Radhakrishnan began coaching at her dad and mom’ gymnasium in Bengaluru throughout this summer time. With the daddy, Vivek, being a national-level bicycle owner and the mom, Namu, a triathlete, she too was eager to decide up a sport. Namu discovered her daughter to be innately sturdy. So, she let her practice with their gymnasium coach. Surya slid into the gymnasium routine like a easily turning key in a well-oiled lock — effortlessly becoming into every exercise and infrequently unlocking new challenges. Her dad and mom and coach had been stunned by her swift progress. Soon, she was lifting the weights her father was lifting.

Even they’d not have anticipated her to win a medal at a world occasion inside a couple of months of beginning coaching. But Surya, final month, received 4 gold medals within the youngsters (feminine), 60 kg class on the World Powerlifting Congress/Amateur World Powerlifting Congress (WPC/AWPC) Open World Cup in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The turning level got here when Surya’s mom found a publish on Instagram that includes Noah Eappen, a woman her age, who had triumphed on the earlier version of the identical occasion. The spark ignited, main to a reference to coach Azzy, who noticed the potential in Surya and guided her into the world of powerlifting.

“I started lifting pretty heavy weights, the same as my dad. I learned about powerlifting, and my coach Azzy guided me as he felt I had good potential,” says Surya.

At 14, what propels Surya isn’t just the joys of lifting heavy weights; it’s the pleasure she finds in fixed enchancment. Encouraged by her coaches and household, she navigates a demanding schedule that features coaching three days every week earlier than college and longer periods at Azzy’s gymnasium within the evenings. The commute is exhausting, however Surya’s dedication to the game stays unwavering.

“Winning medals at recent completions has been motivating. But I enjoy the process as well,” says Surya.

The “process” of waking up at 4:30 am, coaching, then going to college, coaching once more, and resting to be prepared for the following day may not sound satisfying. But she likes it as a result of the game teaches her issues she will be able to apply to different areas of life.

“It has made me more disciplined. I have to wake up early and stick to my routines, only then can I achieve my goals.”

“It has also taught me that progress isn’t linear. Sometimes, you might struggle with a lift that you usually find manageable. But it’s part of the process and doesn’t mean a lack of progress or ability. The next day, you might surprise yourself by lifting a heavier weight. So, you can have setbacks. But they needn’t stop your journey,” she provides.

The balancing act between college commitments and powerlifting is hard. However, she squeezes in exercises earlier than college, completes homework outdoors her gymnasium schedule, and prioritizes sleep and diet to guarantee optimum restoration. But all these discomforts paid off when she stood atop the rostrum in Bishkek adorned with 4 gold medals.

“It’s probably my proudest accomplishment ever,” she says.

Surya says about her plans with powerlifting, “Well, I’m going to keep training and trying my best. Whatever competition my coach says to do, I’ll try to qualify. I want to do this for at least one or two more years. So, I’ll see where that takes me.”