Reeni Tharakan power lifting at Ulaanbaataar
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
When 63-year-old homemaker Reeni Tharakan started going to the gym 10 years ago, her goal was simply to lose weight and maintain her health. Little did she know that she would eventually become a powerlifting champion, winning four gold medals in her category at the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Classic & Equipped Masters Powerlifting Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Reeni was a novice when she first started at the gym, admitting that she had never even seen a dumbbell or a kettlebell before. However, her trainer, Jagan KG, recognized her potential and encouraged her to lift weights.
Reeni, speaking from Thycattusserry near Cherthala, credits her trainer and her family, including her husband and two daughters, for their unwavering support. Despite facing resistance from traditional and conventional families who questioned her decision to pursue powerlifting at her age, Reeni remained determined and focused on her goal.
Reeni Tharakan with her haul at Ulaanbaatar
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In the IPF Championship, Reeni competed against 145 weightlifters from 44 countries in the M3 category, which is for participants aged 60 and above. She was impressed by the fitness levels of her fellow competitors, noting that there were more women than men in the championships. The Indian contingent had 25 members, with around 15 of them being women.
Reeni travels three times a week from Kochi to Mr Standard Gym at Vyttilla, a distance of 37 kilometers, to train. Her husband accompanies her as a show of support. In addition to her gym workouts, Reeni follows a strict keto diet to maintain her weight at 69 kilograms for her category.
With team mates
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Reeni’s achievements extend beyond the IPF Championship. She also won a medal at the Asian Women’s Equipped Powerlifting Championships earlier this year. She started competing in 2021 and has also won medals at district level competitions. She attributes her success to the support and encouragement she receives from her trainer Jagan and Jerry Lopez, the owner of Mr Standard Gym, who have created an atmosphere conducive to her growth. Reeni hopes that her accomplishments inspire more women to take up weightlifting.
Reflecting on her journey, Reeni enthusiastically encourages everyone to lift weights, highlighting the importance of physical fitness for overall health and well-being.
