Rita Mehta, a retired teacher from Mumbai, has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a gold medal in the Master Three category at the National Bench Press Championship held in Goa. Competing in the 84 kg weight class, Mehta lifted an impressive 45 kg, outshining competitors from Manipur, Mizoram, Jharkhand and Haryana.
Originally from Gujarat, Mehta, who is 60 years old, learned the techniques of powerlifting by watching YouTube videos. After retiring, she set a goal to transform her life and inspire others. With the encouragement of young gym-goers and the support of her daughter’s strict diet plan, she embarked on a fitness journey, reducing her weight from 99 kg to 70 kg in just eight months.
Born and raised in Valvada, Vapi, Mehta later settled in Tarapur-Boisar, Maharashtra, before moving to Mumbai with her family in 2000. After retirement, she sought to achieve something extraordinary. Inspired by the support she received, she began training in powerlifting, eventually entering competitions and finding success on the national stage.
“My dream is the Commonwealth Games,” Mehta told a section of media following her victory. “Winning the National Championship has boosted my enthusiasm. I am now training under a professional powerlifting coach with the goal of representing India at the Commonwealth Games and bringing home a gold medal.”
Mehta’s inspiring journey from a retired teacher to a national champion has become a testament to determination and self-belief, as she continues to pursue her dream of representing India on the international stage.
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