Overview
The music in the background and the smell of sweat are the first things that are noticed when one enters the weight training room, the home of the Powerlifting Team. For the past two weeks, the team, comprising of thirteen members, has been practising daily in the evenings, training their bodies to lift immense weights. Their routine increases in difficulty and intensity daily. A usual day begins with a 15 minute, full body warmup followed by training of a specific body part, which usually repeats in a 3-4 day cycle.
As BOSM approaches, training is set to become even more intense, with team members putting in double the amount of time and increasing their weight lifting capacity, daily.
Despite everyone’s best efforts, the team faces its fair-share of difficulties. Unlike other institutes, the gym at BITS is closed on Sundays and other holidays, breaking their practice routine. Moreover, the hours allotted for the team are not always convenient and adequate. Although the equipment is sufficient for the team to practice, some of it is in dire need of replacement, having been in the gym for over a few decades. Another pertinent issue is their struggle to meet the nutritional requirements of the sport which the mess food cannot adequately fulfil. While some turn to external food outlets, others end up paying for dietary supplements.
On the plus side, for the first time ever, the team has a professional powerlifter helping them train.
Past performances
Out of the twelve members who participated in BOSM last year, eleven won medals, of which two were gold, in the 61-67 kg and 78-84 kg categories. At IIT Roorkee, two out of the five members of the team won medals.
Recruitments
The team typically does not recruit students in their first year. In the trials, they select those they think are capable and allow them to train with the team for a year, by the end of which around half usually give up, while the ones who persevere become members of the team.
This year’s recruitments ended with seven members joining the team bringing the team strength to thirteen. Another ten will undertake the yearlong training-cum-probation period.
Captain’s Interview
Satrajit Nath, captain of the team is from Agartala. He began going to the gym, in Delhi, where he completed his 11th and 12th. He continued weight training in his first year and was interested in Powerlifting. He was the first from his batch to join the Powerlifting team last BOSM, after a year of intense training.
Interestingly enough, what drew him to the team was not the physical strength associated with the sport, but the mental strength developed during the training. In his own words, “Discipline is very important. You have to constantly keep track of progress. Soon, you feel yourself getting stronger. That’s the important part. It’s about a healthy mind, not just a healthy body.”
When questioned whether he would pursue powerlifting professionally, he said that he intends to practice powerlifting as a hobby, as it would not be feasible to put in the hours required for professional competitions.
He became captain of the team this semester and was vice-captain in the previous one. He calls it a good learning experience: meeting new people, observing new techniques and styles, different approaches to the sport and various ways in which people maintain their physique. When asked if the added responsibility affects his own performance, he said, “I was aware of the responsibility before accepting the captaincy. It does affect training as I have to look after injury scares and others’ workouts. I became captain because I wanted to give back to the team.”
Up against the former captain, he won a bronze medal last BOSM in his category. He is practicing harder and aiming higher this year. Apart from powerlifting, he used to sing in his school years and is currently learning how to play the guitar. “Discipline is of utmost importance. Sleep well. Go to classes. Hit the gym. Keep a few hours for studies daily,” is his mantra for managing time and balancing academics.