Bollineni Chandrika, who returned home to Vijayawada on Monday (February 24, 2025), after winning a bronze in the Women’s 84+ category in the National Senior Classic Powerlifting Championships held in Punjab between February 19 and 23, has become a well-known name in the field of powerlifting in Andhra Pradesh.
But, getting here was anything but easy for her. Years of struggle — financial, personal and societal — lay behind her success.
Hailing from Mangalagiri, Ms. Chandrika (31) grew up mostly under the care of her grandmother. Having lost both her parents and a grandparent at a young age, the responsibility of running the family fell on her grandmother, who had to set up a small breakfast stall to make ends meet.
“I would deliver the breakfast orders at doorsteps before going to school,” Ms. Chandrika, who studied in C.K. Girls’ High School in Mangalagiri, recalls. It was at the school that she was drawn to sports.
“My teachers encouraged me to prepare for powerlifting championships. I was 13 years old in 2006 when I began practising,” she says, adding that, however, her decision was not received well at home.
“I was told a girl was not supposed to play sports. I became a topic of neighbours’ gossip,” she recalls, adding that she did not let any of these bother her. Determination and her belief in her dreams kept her going.
After starting her B.Tech course, she began participating in Powerlifitng competitions. It was then that she received the title of ‘Strong Woman of A.P.’ Alongside a career in sports, she completed her M.Tech and began doing a part time job to support her dreams and secure her future. Now, a mother of a 4-year-old, Ms. Chandrika juggles a minimum of four-hours of practising, parenting and working.
“Participating in powerlifting competitions is a costly affair. One needs to have at least ₹3 lakh for every international-level competition. Many donors chipped in to support my travel,” she says.
In 2017, she picked up four golds in the Women’s 84 kg category in the Commomwealth Powerlifting Championships held in South Africa with the best overall lift of 377.5 kg. In 2018, she won three bronze medals in the Asian Powerlifting Championships held in Udaipur. In 2019, she won four gold medals in the Asian Pacific Powerlifiting Championships in Australia. In recognition of her contribution to the sports field, the TDP government honoured her with ‘Visishta Seva’ award in 2019.
Ms. Chandrika, who married her coach, Narendra, in 2019, continued her rigorous practice for the next Asian Games when she was five months into her pregnancy. But, the event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
“The little discomforts I face in my sports career are nothing compared to the struggles I have had to face in my life. When I could achieve my dreams despite numerous hardships, anyone else can,” she concludes.
Published – February 25, 2025 10:44 am IST
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