Reeni Tharakan energy lifting at Ulaanbaataar
| Picture Credit score: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

When Reeni Tharakan hit the gymnasium 10 years in the past, at 53, it was pushed by a want to drop some weight and keep wholesome. The very last thing on her thoughts was powerlifting, not to mention successful gold medals at worldwide powerlifting competitions. She gained 4 gold medals in her class on the not too long ago concluded Worldwide Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Basic & Outfitted Masters Powerlifting Championships at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 

Gymming was a brand new expertise for Reeni who confesses to not having seen the within of a gymnasium till then: “I didn’t know what a dumbbell was or a kettlebell.” As soon as she started coaching, her coach noticed potential in her and egged her on to raise weights.  

“My coach, Jagan KG, inspired me to raise weights proper from the beginning. He noticed my curiosity and understood my functionality, and inspired me to raise [weights],” says Reeni over the cellphone from Thycattusserry, close to Cherthala. This achievement wouldn’t have been attainable with out her coach’s help and that of her rapid household which incorporates her husband and two daughters, she confesses. Regardless of the backing of her household, the experience has been something however easy. “It’s not authorized of in conventional, typical households. Questions embrace ‘why are you doing this at this age?’”  

Reeni Tharakan along with her haul at Ulaanbaatar
| Picture Credit score:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The IPF Championship had her compete with round 145 weightlifters from 44 international locations. The Masters’ competitors is held in 4 classes — M1, M2, M3, and M4 — for the age teams of 40 years and above, 50, 60, and 70 plus years previous. Reeni participated within the M3 class. She is all reward for members within the championships, “A Japanese man, in his 80s, walked in with a strolling stick and ‘out-lifted’ the others. There have been extra ladies than males, which was an eyeopener in regards to the variety of ladies who powerlift,” says the homemaker. The health ranges of members have left her impressed. The Indian contingent had 25 members, of which round 15 have been ladies. 

Reeni travels thrice every week to Kochi, travelling 37-odd kilometres a technique, to work out at Mr Normal Fitness center at Vyttilla. “My husband drives me down, and that is a technique of displaying help.” She works out for shut to 2 hours, the opposite three days she works out at residence and takes sooner or later off from coaching. Strict about sustaining her weight [at 69 kilograms for her category] she follows a keto eating regimen, which she says works properly for her.

With group mates
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“I hold my weight between 66-67 kilograms. If you compete in a global competitors, being obese by even one thing as seemingly insignificant as 5 grams can get you disqualified!” For an concept of how a lot she will raise — she deadlifted 112.5 kilograms.

She additionally gained a medal on the Asian Girls’s Outfitted Powerlifting Championships held earlier this 12 months at Alappuzha. She has gained medals at district degree competitions as properly; she started competing in 2021. She credit Jagan and Jerry Lopez, proprietor of Mr Normal Fitness center for encouraging her and creating an environment of help for her. “It’s not simple for somebody my age to do that. And the help I get once I prepare goes a good distance.” Jagan credit her for getting extra ladies inquisitive about lifting weights.  

Reeni is worked up about her expertise and her recommendation for others is — “Everyone ought to raise weights. It’s vital… do it to your bones, physique and normal well being.”