Despite financial crunch, Pradeep is 'Strongman of UP'

Despite financial crunch, Pradeep is 'Strongman of UP'

'Where there is will, there is a way' this well known dictum applies aptly in the case of Ghaziabad lad Pradeep Kumar. Hailing from a remote area of Ghaziabad district, Pradeep has groomed himself as a weightlifter. Besides getting a degree in B.Ed., he remained attached to weight lifting, his first love. Pradeep's father is an employee of Noida Authority and mother is a homemaker. Their strong emotional and financial support is what has kept Pradeep going.

Adversities along the way
Success did not come easy. "There were some experts in my home town but they were not interested in imparting the technique of weight lifting to me for certain reason. I was interested in weight lifting because it was part of international games in those days. In such circumstances, instead of weight lifting I started practicing power lifting with the available resources," he says.
However "I was able to notch up a gold medal in the power lifting championship held in Hapur in 2006. I retained the title of inter- college power lifting championship for five consecutive times and made history in the Chowdhry Charan Singh University, UP.

Crowning glory
"Recently I participated in the junior national power lifting championship held in Bhilai- Chhattisgarh in which I made a national record in the 82.50 kg category. In the journey of sports I was crowned Mr Ghaziabad five consecutive times once I qualified in Mr Uttar Pradesh contest held at Pilkhua in 2006. Since then people have begun to call me 'Strongman of UP”.

My Guru
Pradeep credits Bhupendra Dhawan, a well known weight lifter and Dronacharya awardee, as the only person in his entire career who guided him and even facilitated his entry into international tournaments. "For me he is an inspiration, a coach, a mentor and a guru. I have learnt a lot from him. As a result of his expertise and my sincerity, I have excelled in all the four departments of power lifting which are Squats, Bench Press, Dead Lift and Total Yoga. In all the specified levels of power lifting I am a national record holder," he says.

Journey to France
"When I got selected in the 11-member team to represent India in the junior power championship held in September 2007 in France, I did not have the money to go there. I somehow managed the amount with the help of family and friends. By the grace of God I secured third position and proudly brought bronze medal for my country. After that I scored a prestigious fifth rank in world junior power lifting".

Money MATTERS
Inspite of getting selected in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Power Lifting games in New Zealand, Pradeep could not participate due to financial constraints. Poor financial condition again prevented him from participating in the power lifting championship of Uzbekistan in May 2008 after getting selected by the Indian Power Lifting Federation. "Interestingly, I was ditched by local leaders who made several false commitments to me," says Pradeep.

Ready for the future
About future, he says, "Keeping Commonwealth Games and London Olympics in mind, I am taking intense training. However, I have to qualify in the coming Junior National Power Lifting championship which is going to be held in Pondicherry and after that shortlisted players will take part in the Asian Men's Championship of Hong Kong. I am determined to get a berth in the upcoming championships and would like to be a part of Commonwealth Games in Delhi." Ask him his last wish and he says, "Khel mein paida huye hai aur khel mein hi marenge."