Tag Archives: Women in Sports in India

Powerlifting champion Sadiya Almas felicitated

Mangalgiri (Guntur District), ANDHRA PRADESH:

Sadiya Almas was awarded the title of the strong girl of India in National powerlifting championship 2020 held in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.

Sheikh Sadiya Almas felicitated in Vijayawada on Sunday (Photo | P Ravindra Babu, EPS)

Vijayawada : 

Shaik Sadiya Almas, who secured a gold medal in powerlifting during the Asian Powerlifting Championship held in Turkey, recently, was felicitated by the Muslim Development Society at a programme here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Sadiya Almas credited her parents for winning the medals at the championship.
“So far, I have achieved only a little in my career and I am working hard to achieve a lot with the support of my family and coach. I will bring more laurels to the country and inspire youngsters,” Sadiya said. She also appealed to the government to provide necessary funds for upgrading the gym at Mangalagiri and make it accessible for more youngsters.

The powerlifter secured the first place in Asian Powerlifting Championship held in Rajasthan in 2018. She also secured the first place in Junior State Championship held in Anakapalle in 2018. She secured ninth place in the Senior national Powerlifting Championship held at Sattenapalli in 2018. She was awarded the title of ‘Strong Girl of Andhra Pradesh’ in 64 SGF State Championship held in Nandigama in 2018.

Sadiya Almas won fifth place in Junior National Championship in Kerala in 2019 and got third place in Federation Cup Championship held in Indore, MP in 2019. Sadiya was awarded the title of ‘Strong girl of South India’ in the South India Powerlifting Championship held in 2019-20 in Hyderabad. She was awarded the title of the strong girl of India in the National powerlifting championship 2020 held in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Vijayawada / by Express News Service / January 25th, 2022

Show of strength

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Becoming the youngest female lifter wasn’t an easy task but Maryam Mohammed’s focus helped her achieve it

Maryam Mohammed lifting weight during the tournament

Bengaluru:

Among the many champions who participated in the event, it was 13-year-old Maryam Mohammed who became the youngest female lifter to set a deadlift record in the Push-Pull Championship. Sports establishment Professional Raw organised the first championship at Onyx Fitness which Mohammed was a part of. There were over 300 athletes from across the country who registered themselves for the event.

It’s not the first win for the young lifter either. Speaking to CE, she says, “It’s the fourth competition that I have won so far. I started powerlifting two and half years ago, when the pandemic started and schools went online.” Her father, Mohammed Azmat, who is a powerlifter himself, has been doing it for over three decades now. “He’s my biggest inspiration. He’s the one who trains me and my younger brother has also started participating in competitions now,” Mohammed says.

She spends her weekdays on school work and uses her weekends to train. The basement of their home has been converted into a gym set-up which has helped her practice more. “I know there are many strong people out there but all I do is focus on the bar and just lift it. There’s nothing else to do,” she says, adding that her younger brother is more focused, something she is working on. 

While Mohammed is hoping to get better and win more awards, her father encourages another strategy. “Medals can always be achieved but if they grow up without character, it won’t be of any use,” he says, pointing out that Mohammed always grew up watching him practice in their home set-up. “After she was born, my wife needed my help at home. So, I set up a gym to spend more time at home. Maryam grew up watching me lift weights and when she was finally ready, she showed interest,” he explains.

He adds that neither of the children was ‘forced’ into following in their father’s footsteps. “Seeing them be happy with what they want to do is what I encourage them to follow. They were never forced to follow my footsteps but it’s definitely an icing on top for them to have shown interest,” Azmat says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Anila Kurian, Express News Service / April 18th, 2022