Powerlifter Arathi Arun lifts India to glory with 5 gold medals

Powerlifter Arathi Arun lifts India to glory with 5 gold medals

Asian Powerlifting Championship gold medallist Arthi Arun has been on a golden run and recently made her nation proud by winning 5 gold medals in the 72 kg-M1 category at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships 2019 in Canada. She has just bagged four gold medals in the Commonwealth Powerlifting event, and one in the Bench Press Championships which took place from September 15 to 21.

The Indian powerlifter told Asian News International that she was the only woman that has joined both Asian platform and Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship. She said, “It is very proud for me. After winning, I expected a lot of support and appreciation; however, I was not given much support and was not appreciated”. She also said that she expected support in light of her achievements.

The five medals are from the 72 kg category. They started on September 15 and finished on September 21 with 28 Indian powerlifters having taken part in.

Arun added that she had mailed Center and State governments and requested a reward as well as some appreciation.Then they replied to her saying that they would look into the matter but up to now nobody has replied to her.

“Therefore, that’s a letting down, as a sportsperson, at the end of the day when coming back to your motherland, you expect appreciation, you expect everyone to love you and respect you for what you have done for the nation,” Arun added.

However, the Chennai-based powerlifter maintains that she will not stop and is now going to take part in the World Championships. She will take part in the World Championship which is going to come in South Africa but if she is supported by the government, that will be an added bonus to her and she will highly appreciate it.