Weightlifters as powerlifters
For years, powerlifting provided refuge for retired weightlifters, and now even dope-tainted weightlifters are trying to resurrect their careers by competing in this sport, which is hardly ever monitored by anti-doping agencies.
To top it all, at the ongoing Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship at Balewadi, the Indian Powerlifting Federation (IPF) has been given “administrative support” by a few officials of the Maharashtra State Sports Directorate.
At the national level, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) also keeps powerlifting at bay, consequently it is not even a part of the National Games.
Priyadarshini Jagushthe, was training at the Pune-based Army Institute of Sports for the selection of Indian team for world championship when, during an out-of-competition testing by National Anti-Doping Authority, her urine sample tested positive.
While she is serving two-year ban from competing in weightlifting, Priyadarshini happily participated in Commonwealth powerlifting.