In a remarkable display of strength and determination, 21-year-old Fardeem Hussain from Srinagar has made history by winning a gold medal at the national level powerlifting championship. This achievement marks him as the first young Kashmiri powerlifter to attain such a feat.
The competition, organised by the World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF), took place in Gurugram, Haryana, and saw participation from approximately 500 athletes representing various states and union territories across India.
Hussain, who has previously clinched victories in district-level competitions in Jammu and Kashmir, secured the gold medal in the 80+ kilogram weight category. “The competition was very tough as I was competing with seniors in the championship,” Hussain commented on his victory.
The young athlete’s journey to this triumph is particularly inspiring, given the challenges he has faced. Last year, Hussain suffered grievous injuries in a road accident that left him bedridden for over six months. “My foot had some grievous injuries as a truck ran over it,” he recalled. Despite this setback, Hussain gradually returned to training, starting from the beginner’s level.
Hussain’s recent success builds upon his earlier achievements. Earlier this year, he won the Jammu and Kashmir Powerlifting State Championship 2024, and in 2021, he claimed the title of Mr. Jammu and Kashmir in the state’s powerlifting championship.
The gold medalist attributed his success to intense preparation over the past month, following a rigorous training regime. “I started building my strength for the last couple of months. It was a tough training regime for me given the less time available for me for participation in the competition,” Hussain explained.
Expressing gratitude for his recovery and recent victory, Hussain said, “I am thankful to Allah for giving me enough strength to win this competition.”