73-year-old powerlifter Shankar Rao wins gold after bypass surgery

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Hyderabad: D V Shankar Rao, a 73-year-old created history of sorts by becoming the first-recorded powerlifter to take part in the National powerlifting championship after a by-pass surgery.

The former State Bank of India officer won four gold in the Nationals held in Kozhikode (Kerala) last week.

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Shankar Rao competed in the Master-4 (83 kg category), where he won three gold medals in individual events and was crowned the overall champion with an additional gold medal.

Just six months into his powerlifting journey which began six months ago, after overcoming heart bypass surgery, Rao proved that discipline, mental strength, and determination can defy all odds.

His feat is said to be the only recorded instance in powerlifting in India India of a bypass surgery survivor competing in Nationals and winning gold medals