Pack of power lifters

"It is encouraging to note that the number of participants are increasing year after year as also the audience," noted a report from organizing committee member Rustom Jasoomoney on the 7^th All Zoroastrian Power Lifting Competition held at the Dadar Parsee Gymkhana on April 8, 2017. From the 42 participants, with the eldest aged 76 years and the youngest, 19, Meherzad Chinoy who competed in the men above 75 kg category was declared "Champion of champions." He lifted a total of 615 kg in the Bench Press (that works the pectorals, shoulders and triceps), Squats (quadriceps, glutes, inner thighs and calves) and Dead Lift (entire body) events. "The placement of the lifter is decided on the aggregate total of all three lifts," explained Jasoomoney. In the same 75+ weight category, Rohan Panthaki who came third, lifting 450 kg earned the title of "Most Promising." Meherzad Patell, lifting 462 kg, stood second. There were 10 competitors in this category.

"This year many of the participants were accompanied by professional trainers," observed Jasoomoney. There were three Parsi professional trainers at the event, including Malesara who was also a competitor. The presence of trainers helps with "on-the-spot guidance to calculate what weight to lift next, inspiration, correction of technique… and of course encouragement," Jasoomoney responded to Parsiana’s queries.

Among the seven men under 65 kg category, Shehzad Variava stood first with a lift of 385 kg, Rustam Dastur second with 365 kg and Dezad Patel third with 290 kg.

The six competitors in the seniors category and eight in the women section were judged only on the Bench Press. The winners among the seniors were Albroze Irani who lifted 100 kg, Percy Bahmani (90 kg) and Aspi Acharia (67.5 kg). Among the women, Frezana Daruvala stood first lifting 50 kg, Khushnum Mistry, second with 37.5 kg and Robeab Patel, third with 30 kg.

Jointly conducted by the NarYman K. Dubash Foundation and the Dadar Parsee Gymkhana, this event "is not attached to glamor and thus does not attract big ticket sponsors," according to Jasoomoney. Philanthropic individuals and organizations lend their support to the dedicated team of organizers comprising Viraf Panthaki, Hutoxi Doodhwala, Roozbeh Bulsara and Jasoomoney. The chief guest was fitness and strongman guru Kaizzad Capadia and of interest to the audience was a bodybuilding demonstration by Mr India 2017 Sumit Jadhav. Officials of the Greater Bombay Powerlifting Association managed and judged the meet.