Raising the Bar: The Beginning of Powerlifting at Krea University

It's not everyday a university welcomes a new sporting team, in Krea universities' case, at least. For the first time Krea has established a powerlifting team, bringing together students united by a common interest in building strength or simply gyming. While the sport may appear to be a contest between an individual and the weight before them, the formation of this team suggests otherwise. Behind every lift lies a process of preparation and coordination as well as patience. The initiative which has been enthusiastically supported by the university's Sports Club, began with selections that revealed an encouraging level of enthusiasm among students. As Siddhant Gupta, the Gym Representative, recalled, "We conducted selections and even before we knew it, there were people that were motivated in what a powerlifting team should be based around." What began as an effort to identify interested participants soon became an opportunity to bring together individuals willing to invest in a sport that demands consistency and commitment. And I quite frankly found myself realizing the same as I saw quite the motivated bunch show up for tryouts for the team in order to be considered for selection. Gyming being a passion of mine as well, I found myself attending before eventually receiving news of my apparent selection, a fact I celebrated quite a lot.

Guiding the team through this process is Manmay Reddy, its powerlifting instructor, whose approach places considerable emphasis on learning and development. For him, coaching is as rewarding as the sport itself and I saw that through the way he conducted his sessions. "If a person has come here willing to learn, then the process is a lot of fun," he remarked. Reflecting on his role, he added, "I'm glad my experience amounts to someone else's growth." His words capture an important aspect of the team's formation, the passing on of knowledge primarily gathered through experience, and the understanding that progress is not measured exclusively by the weight lifted. For the students involved, the team represents an opportunity to explore a sport that complements their existing interests while introducing a new dimension to university athletics. Ratul Prabhu, a member of the team who participates in other sports as well, described its formation as "a good initiative of the Sports Club." His observation highlights the broader significance of the initiative, expanding the sporting opportunities available to students.

An encouraging aspect of the team is the participation of women, with male and female members training alongside one another. Kanghanaa Karthik, a member of the women's division, who is also a first-year student, explained, "We train three times a week as a team, boys and girls side by side." She emphasised that powerlifting requires more than individual effort, noting that "when we work together, there has to be coordination because when it comes to powerlifting, that frame matters." She also highlighted the openness within the team, where "everyone has been vocal about their strengths and constraints." As she put it, "It's not about how much you show off." which I would say indicated quite well that it's not about the pride in lifting heavy things, but lifting them with the right motivation and eagerness to improve one's technique.

Powerlifting is often said to be associated with individual records, personal milestones, and the pursuit of increasingly heavier lifts as one's strength grows alongside their experience. Yet, Krea's newest sporting initiative appears to place equal importance on understanding one's limitations, recognising the abilities of others, and improving it collectively no matter the experience. As it has been made clear, a person's drive to be in and contribute towards the team is placed foremost. The establishment of the university's first powerlifting team marks more than the introduction of another sporting activity on campus, it also marks the beginning of a community built around shared discipline and growth and being able to take one's passion for gaining strength to a slightly more competitive scene.