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All India Railway Weightlifting Championship Kicks Off With Record Participation
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Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 23:34 GMT by The Hans India- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
All India Railway Weightlifting Championship (CShip) Kicks Off – A Glimpse into the Event’s Highlights
On a brisk morning in early November, the “All India Railway Weightlifting Championship” (often abbreviated as the CShip competition) opened its doors to thousands of aspiring athletes from every railway zone across the country. The ceremony, hosted at the sprawling K. K. R. Stadium in New Delhi, was attended by a host of dignitaries, including the Minister of State for Railways and the Chairman of the Indian Railway Sports Promotion Board. The event promised to showcase the incredible talent, dedication, and sheer hard‑work of Indian Railways’ sportsmen and women and to rekindle the long‑standing tradition of promoting fitness and sportsmanship within the railways.
A Legacy of Sporting Excellence
The article opens by reminding readers of the rich sporting culture that has long been nurtured within the railway sector. Over the past two decades, the Indian Railways has invested heavily in building sports infrastructure and training facilities across its zones. The weightlifting championship, inaugurated in 2008, has since become a flagship event that draws top talent from the railways, offering a platform for employees to compete at a national level and to represent the Indian Railways in international tournaments.
Event Format and Participation
The championship is structured around men’s and women’s categories spanning various weight classes, ranging from the lightweight 56 kg to the heavyweight 105+ kg categories. The article reports that a record 152 athletes from 12 different railway zones took part in the opening day. The participants were selected through rigorous pre‑qualifying rounds that took place at each zone’s training centers. In addition to the elite group, there were also “novice” and “amateur” divisions, ensuring that newcomers had an opportunity to gain experience and exposure.
The competition itself is a multi‑day affair. It begins with the snatch phase, followed by the clean & jerk. Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each lift, and the highest successful attempt in each round contributes to the athlete’s total score. The article notes that the competition follows the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) standards, ensuring that the athletes can qualify for other national and international meets.
Highlights from the Inaugural Day
One of the most exciting aspects highlighted by the coverage is the stellar performances of a few key athletes:
A. Gopalakrishnan (South Central Railway) – In the men’s 69 kg category, he posted a total of 280 kg, breaking the previous record set in 2021. The article quotes him saying, “The weight of this trophy feels heavier than the barbell I lift. It is a testament to our hard work and the support from my coaches.”
V. R. Karthika (Southern Railway) – In the women’s 48 kg division, she set a new national record of 115 kg in the clean & jerk, earning her the coveted “Gold Medal” and a bronze in the overall ranking.
S. N. Ramesh (Eastern Railway) – Despite being a newcomer, Ramesh’s remarkable performance in the 61 kg category, where he achieved a total lift of 260 kg, earned him the “Most Promising Athlete” award.
The article also includes short interviews with the athletes, offering insight into their training regimens, dietary plans, and the mental discipline required to compete at this level. For example, Karthika shares that she follows a strict high‑protein diet and spends hours in the gym to perfect her technique.
Support and Infrastructure
The coverage doesn’t stop at the athletes. It delves into the behind‑the‑scenes support that makes the championship possible:
Coaching staff – Each athlete is accompanied by a dedicated coach, with the overall training program designed by the Indian Railways’ Sports Promotion Board.
Medical facilities – The event boasts on‑site physiotherapists and a well‑equipped emergency response team.
Nutrition and recovery – The Indian Railways has established a partnership with a local nutritionist network to provide tailored diet plans and supplements to the athletes.
The article links to an external page detailing the “Indian Railways Sports Promotion Board’s Annual Report” (https://www.irspb.gov.in/report2024) to give readers a deeper understanding of the organization’s funding, infrastructure investments, and future plans for sports development.
Significance and Future Outlook
Beyond the medals and records, the CShip championship serves as a crucial welfare initiative for railway employees. The article emphasizes that sports participation has been linked to improved health outcomes, reduced absenteeism, and higher morale among the workforce. The championship also acts as a stepping stone for athletes who wish to represent India in global competitions, such as the Asian Games and the Olympic Games.
The piece concludes by highlighting that the Indian Railways plans to introduce women’s categories in more weight classes and to explore the addition of powerlifting and deadlift as separate events in future editions. The Railway Sports Promotion Board is also working on a digital platform that will enable real‑time score updates and live streaming of the competitions, thereby expanding the championship’s reach to railway employees and fans across the nation.
A Call to Celebrate
The article ends on an uplifting note, inviting readers to celebrate the dedication and achievements of the athletes. It emphasizes that these champions embody the spirit of resilience and camaraderie that defines the Indian Railways. By supporting and encouraging such sporting endeavors, the railways not only enhance the well‑being of their employees but also strengthen the national identity built on collective effort and shared victories.
Read the Full The Hans India Article at:
[ https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/all-india-rly-weightlifting-cship-commences-1028361 ]
