In a remarkable display of talent and dedication, Vadodara’s young weightlifters, Ashwini Chhetri and Nivedita Kalambe, have made their city proud with their outstanding performances at the Khelo India Women’s League Gujarat Weightlifting Championship held in Navsari.
Ashwini Chhetri, competing in the 87 kg Junior category, clinched the gold medal, while Nivedita Kalambe, a powerlifter making her weightlifting debut in the 49 kg Youth category, secured a well-deserved Silver medal. It’s noteworthy that Nivedita’s transition from powerlifting to weightlifting resulted in an impressive performance, marking her arrival in the weightlifting arena.
Both athletes’ achievements were further recognized with certificates of appreciation for their significant contributions to women’s sports development and their role in promoting gender equality in sports, as acknowledged by Khelo India.
Ashwini and Nivedita share a common aspiration to represent India on the international stage, including the Olympics. Their dedication and commitment to their sport are unwavering, and they aim to compete in more national and international events to inch closer to their dream of Olympic participation.
Nivedita’s journey from powerlifting to weightlifting began five months ago, and she has already made a mark by winning a Silver medal in her maiden state competition. Inspired by her father, Olympic medalist Meera Chanu, Nivedita envisions a career in sports and has her sights set on representing India in both the Commonwealth Games (Powerlifting) and the Olympics (Weightlifting). Despite juggling her training with her studies as a 12th-grade student, Nivedita remains steadfast in her pursuit of these goals.
Ashwini Chhetri, at the age of 19, has achieved remarkable success in weightlifting with just nine months of training. Pursuing electrical engineering at Government College, Chhotaudepur, Ashwini has her sights set on an Olympic appearance. Her dedication and passion for the sport have been instrumental in her success, and she credits her coach, Sunny Bavcha, and her mother for her achievements. Ashwini draws inspiration from Meera Chanu and aspires to make India proud on the Olympic stage.
Coach Sunny Bavcha, a powerlifter himself, commends the unwavering dedication of both athletes. Despite their academic commitments, especially in Nivedita’s case as a 12th-grade student, they train rigorously alongside male players. Coach Bavcha emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition, mainly home-cooked meals, in their training regimen. Both Ashwini and Nivedita’s passion and accomplishments at the Khelo India Women’s League Gujarat Weightlifting Championship are shining examples of their relentless dedication to their sport.
