73-yr-old Telangana powerlifter adds two intl medals to tally

Hyderabad: A septuagenarian banker from Telangana, who won gold medals at the National Powerlifting Championship last year despite having undergone heart bypass surgery, has now added two international medals to his tally.

D V Shankar Rao (73) of the temple town of Bhadrachalam said on Sunday, November 15, that he won the medals at the World Masters Powerlifting Championships in Reno, Nevada, USA, in October 2026.

Competing in the Masters-4, 74 kg category, he won the Overall Bronze in the Classic division on October 15 and the Overall Silver in the Equipped division on October 22.

“Standing on the world podium at 73, representing my country and receiving two international medals, was an unforgettable moment,” he told PTI.

Shankar Rao said Bhadrachalam MLA Tellam Venkata Rao had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommending that his accomplishment be featured in the Prime Minister’s radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ under the theme “Healthy Ageing for a Stronger India”.

He had also submitted a request on the MyGov platform, he said.

Shankar Rao, who served as an officer in the State Bank of India, retired in July 2013. He underwent coronary artery bypass surgery in September 2012, at the age of 59.

Powerlifting journey started from morning walk

His powerlifting journey, which has become an inspiration for retired people and the youth alike, began when a friend who met him on morning walks encouraged him to take up gym training and enter competitions, citing his physique.

“I was initially hesitant since I had undergone heart bypass surgery,” he said.

His family members and family doctor had apprehensions, but some doctors who visited the gym told him he could go ahead, provided he stopped training if he felt short of breath or uneasy. Other doctors told him his body was responding well to the training, he said.

He started training in February 2025 and won four gold medals at the National Powerlifting Championship held in Kozhikode, Keralam, later that year under the auspices of Powerlifting India.

“That achievement gave me tremendous confidence and strengthened my determination to represent India internationally,” Shankar Rao said.

Retirement does not mark the end of an ambitious life

Noting that some senior citizens feel retirement marks the end of their productive or ambitious lives, he said that if his journey could inspire even a small number of people to regain confidence and set meaningful goals, he would consider that a greater achievement than winning medals.

He said he would not suggest that every heart surgery survivor take up powerlifting. Each person should choose physical activities based on their medical condition and professional medical guidance, he said.

His next ambition is to win a gold medal at the World Masters Powerlifting Championships, he added.

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