Promising power

At the First All India Zoroastrian Powerlifting Championship organized by the Dadar Parsee Colony Gymkhana (DPCG) and the NarYman K. Dubash Foundation, Yazad Bhesania won the Champion of Champions Trophy and Danesh Irani was adjudged the most promising power lifter. The men, competing keenly at the DPCG ground on February 24, 2013 in bench press, squats and dead lift, were divided into three body weight categories — up to 70 kg, 70-85 kg and 85 kg and above. For the ladies, the competition was restricted to bench press. A total of 34 participants displayed their prowess, with the men far outnumbering the women! Of the gutsy ladies, Yozmaity Doctor stood first, Zara Baliwala second and Karishma Patel third.

Danesh Irani (left) and Yazad Bhesania display their trophies

"This Zoroastrian Powerlifting Championship was the first of its kind. Earlier events (held at Rustom Baug along with the bodybuilding competition) had only bench press, whereas this was a complete event with bench press, squats and dead lift. This was a joint effort of the DPCG and the NarYman Dubash Foundation and from next year we are set to roll the competition annually under the title of All India Zoroastrian Powerlifting Championship,” explains Roozbeh Balsara, DPCG gymnasium secretary. "Considering this was the first time, I was particularly happy on both the fronts — spectator response as well as participation.” The competition, he believes, will be an encouragement to Zoroastrian youth and provide a platform for those who wish to take their performance to higher levels, including competing at state and national meets.
"It is noteworthy that in both the men and women’s category, we had a good number of entries from Gujarat. For outstation participants, rail fare, boarding and lodging were provided by the NarYman Dubash Foundation,” says Rustom Jasoomoney, one of the trustees. Shihan Parvez Mistry, 8th dan black belt, solicitor Burjor Antia and Dinshaw Tamboly, chairman of the World Zoroastrian Organization Trust Funds, were the guests for the evening.

Bench press and squats in progress; on the dais (from left) Farokh Tamboly, Unwalla, Dalu Mehta, Rustom Jasoomoney,

Mehernosh Paghdiwala, Berjis Daruwalla and Rayomand Irani stood first, second and third respectively in the up to 70 kg category. In the next higher group, Bhesania (who was also the overall winner and won a special purse of Rs 25,000) took top spot, followed by Khushroo Cooper and Neville Bodhanwalla. In the heaviest class, Danesh Irani with his promising total of 560 kg received a special award of Rs 10,000. Kaizad Wadia and Navroz Dapotawala were in second and third place. The competition was conducted under the auspices of The Greater Bombay Powerlifting Association. A large and enthusiastic crowd encouraged the power lifters and cheered the guest body builders as they flexed their well-oiled rippling muscles.