Shreyas HS
Pics : Meryick Dsilva
Daijiworld Media Network

Mangalore, Oct 23: Cheers to Akshatha Bola and Vijaykanchan for emerging as Powerlifting champions at World Bench Press and Power Lifting championship held at Las Vegas, USA, winning two gold medals each, thus resounding the name of coastal district at the international forum.

However, on Thursday October 23, a large crowd led by Mahabala Marla, Mayor of Mangalore descended to welcome the duo at Mangalore International Airport. It could be observed that fans from various Taluks thronged the airport with flower bouquet and garlands and received the lifters adding more meaning to the sport they represented.

“The state government of Karnataka heeds less to the demands of powerlifters unlike other states of the nation” told Vijaykanchan who won two gold medals in Bench Press and Dread Lift in 107 KG categories. Vijay, head constable from Mulky earlier had won many gold medals in the power lifting events convened at Philippines, Kazakhstan and Japan.

He further told the reporters the lifters were waiting for the support and they have written to the Karnataka Sports Authority for the same. He hinted that Power Lifting assumes less significance in the state of Karnataka.

While Akshatha’s voice was subdued due to the cold weather of America, she said it took as many as four days to cope with the climate conditions. However this has not deterred her from claiming her stature at world level.

She hails from Bola, Karkala. She won two gold medals in the category of 47 KG. She seemed contented as she draped the medal with Vijay who coached her in her journey of Power Lifting. Vijay expressed that he was satisfied with the facilitation he enjoyed from the police department in his venture.

Akshatha, who is practicing Power Lifting from 8 years, recently passed out from Alva’s college as a post graduate. The crowd accompanied the winners from Airport in a cavalcade, with a florally decorated open jeep ferrying the champions.