Lifts 362.5 kg to Clinch 3 Gold Medals at World Powerlifting Meet
Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Ekta Bishnoi has brought international glory to the country by scripting a historic milestone at the World Masters Classic Powerlifting Championships held in Reno, Nevada, United States. Showcasing elite physical endurance and technical grit on the global stage, Bishnoi clinched three prestigious gold medals by registering a staggering aggregate lift of 362.5 kilograms. Defeating top-tier powerlifters from global powerlifting hubs including Japan and Canada, she officially became the first Indian female athlete to secure a gold medal in the fiercely contested Masters-2 division at this premier international championship.
Record-Breaking Platform Performance: Dominating Masters-2 Division with 362.5 kg Lift
Competing against the world's finest veteran strength athletes, Bishnoi delivered an unmatched masterclass across all three platform disciplines:
Historic Triple Gold Feat: Bishnoi out-lifted her global competitors to secure three gold medals across individual lifts and the overall cumulative leaderboard in Reno.
Monumental Total Weight Lifted: She successfully registered a massive combined total of 362.5 kg across the squat, bench press, and deadlift segments, setting an unprecedented benchmark for Indian strength sports.
Overcoming Global Powerhouses: Her tactical execution pushed formidable title contenders from traditional strength-sport nations like Canada and Japan into lower podium spots.
Trailblazer for Indian Women: With this podium sweep, Bishnoi officially carved her name as the first Indian woman powerlifter to claim gold honors in the Masters-2 classification at the World Championships.
Virtual Coaching and On-Site Grit: Overcoming Visa Crisis Through Video Links
The path to global glory was marked by formidable logistical hurdles that tested Bishnoi’s mental resilience leading up to the competition:
Last-Minute Visa Setback for Coach: Just days ahead of the scheduled departure for the United States, Indian national powerlifting team coach Sunil Kumar faced an unexpected setback when his US travel visa application was rejected, leaving Bishnoi without her primary tactician on the ground.
Real-Time Remote Strategy Sessions: Undeterred by the logistical hurdle, Bishnoi established a remote communication protocol, coordinating warm-ups, attempt selections, and technical tweaks via live video calls with coach Sunil Kumar from India.
Crucial Ground Coordination: On-site Indian team official Binu Ibrahim stepped forward to deliver critical tactical support, managing backstage timelines, platform submissions, and attempt paperwork to ensure Bishnoi executed her lifts with precision.
Striking the Golden Balance: Elite Civil Servant by Day, World Champion on the Platform
Bishnoi’s extraordinary sporting milestone highlights the dedication required to excel in public service while sustaining elite athletic form:
High-Stakes Bureaucratic Responsibility: As an active-duty Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, Bishnoi oversees complex administrative and financial portfolios for the Government of India, balancing rigorous workplace demands with high-performance sports training.
Rigorous Conditioning Regimen: To prepare for international platforms, she maintained grueling multi-hour strength conditioning cycles before and after administrative duty hours, exemplifying physical fitness in governance.
National Inspiration: Her world championship triumph has earned praise across sports federations and administrative circles, serving as a powerful inspiration for aspiring female athletes and civil service professionals across the country.

