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'Strong Girl of India' makes the Nation Proud

Making a career in professional Powerlifting in any capacity is certainly not an easy feat. Ms. Shaik Sadiya Almas, an International Powerlifting player from Andhra Pradesh and a student of KL Deemed to be University, has already won many laurels at the state and national levels with her sheer dedication and hard work.

After seeing her intense training in Powerlifting, her family started believing that she was destined to be a Powerlifter. With the support of her family, and sports mentors, she managed to rise above all her hardships and stay in control. Today, she is one of the most successful women Powerlifters in India.

Ms. Shaik Sadiya Almas is presently pursuing a BA (IAS) from KL Deemed to be University. She won One Gold, One Bronze and Overall Silver in the Junior World Powerlifting Championship in Turkey on the From 26th August to September 4th, 2022. A total of 27 countries participated in the World sub-junior and junior-equipped Powerlifting championship 2022, Istanbul, Turkey. Out of 66 women who participated in the sub-junior and junior-equipped championships, only three Indian women took part. Out of them, this student of KL University Ms. Shaik Sadiya Almas won three medals.

This is not the first time when she made India proud. Before this in June 2022, she won two gold, one silver, and one bronze medal for the country in the Asian Equipped Powerlifting Championships Open Sub-Junior, Junior, and Masters Women and Men 2022. At the Asian Equipped Powerlifting Championship, she lifted 420 kilograms in the under 57 kgs junior category. She won two Gold medals in the Squat and Overall category, One Silver medal in Deadlift, and One Bronze medal in Dead press. The championship was held in Coimbatore, India, from 17th to 21st June 2022. The tournament was organized by the International Powerlifting Federation, the Asian Powerlifting Federation.

Sheik Sadiya has won 4 International titles recently. Dedicating the medals to the country, she said, my parents are my inspiration. My father is an International powerlifter. He is training me for the past four years. He has always been a guiding force in my successful sports journey. I also thank my university for its moral and financial support. My special thanks to the sports department, faculty, and my coach for the encouragement.  

Sports is not just a performance, says Dr. G. Pardha Saradhi Varma, Vice-Chancellor, KL, Deemed to be University, it's a commitment where you work hard and evolve yourself over time. He said, 'We at KL Deemed to be University give utmost priority to sports. The sports culture at the campus inculcates a winning spree and a sportsman spirit among our students and leads them to become more focused on their careers and life.'

Sadiya, the International Sportswoman, has won various titles and medals at National and International levels in various prestigious Powerlifting Competitions. Sadiya Almas was titled, Strong girl of India in the National Powerlifting Championship, 2020, held in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. After winning gold at the Asian Powerlifting Championship, held in Turkey in 2021, Shaik Sadiya Almas earned herself the title of Strong Girl of Asia. To date, Sadiya has participated in 24 tournaments and won 24 gold medals, two silver medals, six bronze medals, and eleven titles.