For many young athletes, the dream of competing internationally remains just that—a dream. But for 25-year-old Manan Kapoor from Lucknow, that dream turned into reality when he stood on the podium at the Asian Pacific African Powerlifting Championship in Japan recently, proudly holding a bronze medal as the Indian tricolour waved in the background.
“My journey started when I was ten. I would go to the gym just to watch athletes train. My sister was trying to lose weight, and I would sit there watching and learning. It fascinated me,” Manan says. But he did not begin serious training until 2019. Then the pandemic hit, closing gyms and halting competitions. “It was tough, but I improvised. I trained at home with elastic bands and dumbbells. I did not want to stop,” he recalls.
Once gyms reopened in 2021, Manan returned to formal training. He went on to win gold medals at the UP State Championship from 2022 to 2024. In 2023, he earned a bronze at the Federation Cup, followed by a silver at the National Powerlifting Championship in 2024. “Winning at the national level gave me the confidence that I could represent India internationally,” he says.
An MBA graduate from MPSTME, Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering at NMIMS, Mumbai, Manan balanced academics, work, and training with remarkable discipline. “The support from Professor Prashant Kharote at NMIMS kept me going. His encouragement made me believe that I could compete at higher levels,” he shares.
Manan’s coach has been a constant guiding force throughout his journey. “My coach, Mr. Arvind Kushwaha, travelled with me to Japan, supporting me every step of the way. His guidance and presence gave me strength and confidence during the competition,” he says.
Currently, Manan works as an Associate Consultant at Microsave Consultancy, a financial inclusion firm, where his employers support his passion. “I usually train in the morning and take calls and meetings during the day. It is challenging, but their support helps me focus on both,” Manan says.
Despite his success, financial challenges remain. “Powerlifting does not get the same support as cricket. For Japan, I had to cover most of the costs myself, with partial help from my company,” he explains. He is now actively seeking sponsorship from the government, his alma mater, and alumni networks to cover travel and training expenses for future competitions.
Looking ahead, Manan is preparing for the Asian Powerlifting Championship in Istanbul this December and has set his sights on representing India at the Commonwealth Games in 2026. “With proper support, I know I can reach the next level. My dream is to wear India’s jersey and make the country proud,” he says.
