73-year-old heart surgery survivor wins 4 golds

August 19, 2025 Unknown Wizards Valli Sarvani

In an inspiring story of resilience and determination, DV Shankar Rao, a 73-year-old retired SBI officer, has made history by winning four gold medals at the National Powerlifting Championships held in Kozhikode, Kerala.

Competing in the Master-4, 83 kg category, Rao claimed three golds in individual lifts and one for Overall Champion, setting a national record.

What makes this feat extraordinary is that Rao is also a bypass surgery survivor.

He began powerlifting just six months before his heart surgery in 2012. Thirteen years later, he returned stronger than ever, marking a first-of-its-kind achievement in Powerlifting India’s records.

A resident of Bhadrachalam, Rao had always maintained an active lifestyle through walking and yoga.

A close friend, Sobhan Naik, a forest officer, encouraged him to explore strength training. Taking the advice seriously, Rao joined City Style Power Gym in February 2025.

Aware of his health background, Rao first consulted three specialists, a physician, an orthopaedic doctor, and an anaesthesiologist, before proceeding.

Rao recalls that all three cleared him for gym training with medical precautions, advising him to treat the heart like any other muscle, strengthen it, but stop if he experienced heavy breathing.

He began training under coach Gongadi Venkata Rami Reddy, with Dr Krishna Prasad later stepping in as his performance coach for the national competition. With consistent effort and focused training, Rao’s strength and stamina soared.

Officials from Powerlifting India described his victory as a historic milestone, as no other bypass surgery survivor had ever won at this level.

His success has not only broken age and health stereotypes but has also earned him an invitation to represent India at the World Powerlifting Championships in South Africa in October 2025.

From light morning walks to lifting competitive weights, DV Shankar Rao’s journey stands as a powerful example of perseverance and hope, proving that it’s never too late to chase greatness.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on February 24, 2017