GUWAHATI, Oct 28: Arunachal powerlifter Azad Basfore etched his name in record books after retaining the title of ‘Strongman of India’ for the fifth straight year at the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) India in Hyderabad.
Basfore won the gold in both the equipped and unequipped classes, dominating the 75-kg senior category in the event being held from October 24 to 26.
Basfore had last year smashed his own national record of 205 kg with an astounding lift of 217.5 kg in the equipped category. He managed an impressive 170 kg in the unequipped class. His accomplishment further cemented his status as a prominent figure in powerlifting and represents a major turning point in the sport’s history in India.
In addition to Basfore, twelve other Arunachal powerlifters won medals in the competition, including ten gold. Rajiv Pait (67.5 kg), Tedo Kino (60 kg), Rige Kaye (67.5 kg), Chow Rajing Mungyak (52 kg), Enan Jomoi (67.5 kg), Aman Gurung (82.5 kg), Deepok Nasi (67.5 kg), and Bikash Dehingia (52 kg) were the gold medallists in the senior category.
Hinium Apam Nich took home the gold in the women’s 67.5 kg division, while tax, excise, and narcotics inspector Damnia Tamin (90 kg open) won the gold and bronze in the equipped and raw divisions respectively.
