With BITS Open Sports Meet (BOSM) just around the corner, the BOSM English Press approached Abhishek Bhist, the Captain of the BITS Pilani powerlifting team, for a small talk about the team’s preparations and aims.

Abhishek stated that there are three events under powerlifting in BOSM: the bench press, the squat-lift, and the deadlift. The events are also divided into various weight classes to ensure parity in the competition. Three attempts are allowed for each category, with the heaviest lift being counted. He added that the team is also organising an open event for BOSM where any powerlifting enthusiast can attempt lifting challenges. Remarking on the training regimen of the team he said that it varies from member to member, accounting for their experience and progress. 

Speaking of the team’s former performance, Abhishek said that they had ‘completely dominated’ in all events, winning a medal in every edition of BOSM. He said that the powerlifting team from O.P. Jindal Global University had provided them with good competition in the past, however, they won’t be attending this time.

Abhishek mentioned that recruitments are done on a personalised basis. Each recruit is required to be able to bench-press their bodyweight equivalent, squat-lift 1.5 times their bodyweight and deadlift 1.5 times their bodyweight. Abhishek remarked that he felt the quality of recruits had degraded this year, citing an influx of ‘studious kids’ to be the reason. 

Talking about their interactions with the Institute, Abhishek said that the administration hasn’t been as supportive of the team as the team would have liked them to be. He elaborated that equipment ordered by the team—a squat rack—hadn’t been provided with lack of space being given as the reason, but somehow space had been available for four new treadmills. 

When asked about his past achievements in powerlifting, Abhishek said that he had won events in powerlifting in all the editions of BOSM he had been a part of. He added that he had recently started competitive lifting, winning a silver medal in bench press while representing Uttarakhand in the national competition organised by Powerlifting India.

On a final note, Abhishek expressed hope that the team will be in their best form, and also asked the GBM to attend the open event, promising it to be an exciting experience.