Prithvi Sengupta Wins Bronze at World Powerlifting Championship, Making India Proud

Prithvi Sengupta, 18, from Dehradun, got a bronze medal at the World Open Equipped Powerlifting Championship in Iceland from November 10–16. This is a huge accomplishment. People from all over the world competed in this important event put on by the International Powerlifting Federation. But Prithvi stood out not only for his strength, but also for his bravery and drive.

The only Indian athlete and the youngest of the 59 competitors was Prithvi, who was in the 66 kg division. Not only did his performance get him on the stage, it also showed how tough he is and how much he loves his sport.

The path that Prithvi took to win is truly amazing. When he was young, his doctor told him to get some exercise to make his muscles stronger, and that's when he fell in love with weightlifting. As a kid, Prithvi had trouble building his muscles because he had Down syndrome, but his mother, Niyateey Shah, noticed that he liked lifting weights on his own. She remembers that he showed interest in lifting at a nearby gym. That initial interest turned into a strong commitment to the sport.

Prithvi went from doing weights for fun to doing it for a living with the unwavering backing of his family. Aman Rai Vohra, his teacher, put him to work in Dehradun two years ago. This was the start of his journey against other people. Prithvi quickly moved up the ranks with the help of Coach Vohra. He won gold medals at big competitions like the Asian Powerlifting Championship in Kyrgyzstan and the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship in South Africa.

Coach Vohra says that Prithvi is a tough and brave runner. "I had to take a slightly different approach when coaching Prithvi," Vohra said. "I had to repeat techniques and strategies many times, but he grasped them quickly and applied them with precision." Additionally, Vohra said that the next goal is to prepare Prithvi for the 2028 Paralympic Games, which could help his job even more on a global level.

Prithvi has had a hard time in his life outside of the gym. As a child, he was turned down and left out of schools and social events. His mother remembers how painful it was to see family members avoid Prithvi and how hard it was to see him fight with acceptance. Even though things were hard, she was still eager to help him succeed. "Never give up," Niyateey Shah tells other parents whose kids have special needs. "With the right support, they can achieve incredible things."

Because of what he did, Prithvi is now a symbol of hope and courage. People who didn't pay attention to him before now admire him. Many people are moved by his story, which shows that anything is possible with the right attitude and help. Prithvi Sengupta is more than just a medallist. He is a live example of how to be strong and persistent, showing everyone that having a disability doesn't mean you can't be great.

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