18-year-old Prithvi Sengupta, a powerlifter from Dehradun with Down syndrome, won a bronze medal at the IPF World Open Equipped Powerlifting Championship, recently held in Iceland.
Competing in the 66kg category, he secured a silver medal in the squat, a bronze in the deadlift, and an overall bronze in his category.
Prithvi’s mother, Niyateey Shah, and his coach, Aman Rai Vohra, watched from the sidelines as Prithvi scripted history.
Speaking to the media, his mother said, *“Prithvi’s journey to the podium is nothing short of extraordinary. He has shattered societal expectations and redefined excellence in sports. His story is one of resilience, grit, and determination.”*
Prithvi was drawn to weights from a very young age. He joined a gym at the age of six to strengthen his muscles as per the doctor’s recommendation. It was there that he developed a passion for weights and eventually transitioned to weightlifting.
He began powerlifting three years ago and started professional training under Aman Vohra two years ago.
“This is not just a medal; it is a moment of transformation for the sports community in Uttarakhand,” his coach said.
“His professional journey with me started 18 months ago when he moved from Mumbai to Dehradun. Since then, his dedication, focus, and ability to overcome challenges have inspired not only athletes but everyone who dreams big,” he added.
Prithvi has already collected many medals in his short career so far.
He is a two-time National Powerlifting Champion, has won gold medals at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship in South Africa, and has brought laurels to India by winning at the Asian Powerlifting Championships in Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia.
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