A 22-year-old woman from Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir has won two bronze medals in the National Powerlifting Championship held in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Riya Mahajan emerged victorious in the National Sub Junior and Junior Classic category, ranking fourth overall in the country. She had previously won a bronze medal in the national bench press championships in Goa last year. Mahajan’s achievements have made her an inspiration to girls across the country, especially those from Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite society’s prejudices against women athletes in strength-based sports, Mahajan broke down barriers and proved that gender is not a limiting factor in pursuing one’s passions. She encourages young girls to follow their dreams regardless of the obstacles they may face.
Mahajan expressed her gratitude to her coaches, family, and fans who supported her throughout her journey. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance and seeks help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the promotion of powerlifting in India so that more girls can take up the sport. She also urges the government of Jammu and Kashmir to promote and provide facilities for powerlifting athletes.
Mahajan’s success has inspired other girls in her home state to take up powerlifting. She hopes to see powerlifting as popular among girls as it is among boys, and urges the introduction of powerlifting in the Olympics and Khelo India to provide financial assistance to Powerlifting athletes.
Mahajan’s achievement not only solidifies her place in the sports community but also proves that hard work, dedication, and self-belief can motivate individuals to achieve greatness regardless of gender or societal expectations. Riya Mahajan has become a role model for all girls in Jammu and Kashmir as she has shown that excelling in both academics and sports is possible together.
