Inspiring Woman: 47-Year-Old Bhavna Tokekar, Mother Of Two Teens, Wins 4 Gold Medals In Powerlifting

Most of us tend to believe or feel that we have achieved a lot as we near the age of 40. Some feel that there is nothing new or exciting left in their life ahead, but is it really that way? This belief has been changed by Bhavna Tokekar, a 47-year-old Pune woman. In her early 40s, the mother of two teenagers introduced to weight training and managed to surprise everyone by winning 4 gold medals for the country at the Open Asian Powerlifting Championships of AWPC/ WPC at Chelyabinsk, Russia on Sunday.

500 players took part in the event of which 14 players, including Bhavna, were from India.

Why Did Bhavna Tokekar Start Gyming?

Even though Bhavna Tokekar had always managed to maintain an active lifestyle, she started training at the gym six years ago to combat the side effects of the medicines she took to deal with skin inflammation.

She started weight training after members of the IAF bodybuilding team informed her how weight training facilitates an increase in strength. After six years of rigorous weight training, Bhavna Tokekar bagged 4 gold medals at the Open Asian Powerlifting Championships in Russia.

Don't MissMeet The Real Life Singham, Kerala IPS Officer Merin Joseph Who Nabbed Child Rape Accused From Saudi

Wife Of An IAF Fighter Pilot & Full Of Strength

Wife of an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot, Bhavna got her inspiration from people at her home. She started her weight lifting training when she was 41. For determined Bhavna, there was no looking back, and she trained hard every day under the guidance of the IAF’s bodybuilding team before participating in the prestigious competition.

Talking to a national daily, Bhavna elaborated that there are many myths surrounding bodybuilding, weight lifting and other strength sports, especially related to women like it is meant only for young people and that it makes the body bulky.

Bhavna, a full-time homemaker, started browsing the internet researching and reading about weight lifting through YouTube videos and other websites.

Initially she was unsure if she could participate in any competition but gradually she began taking part in them. She used to think that she would not be able to take part in such a big competition due to her age or if she would be able to match up to the standards.

Also Read Meet The Female ISRO Scientists Behind The Success Of Real ‘Mission Mangal’

She didn't give up and started overcoming obstacles that came on her way. Interestingly, the Maharashtrian who grabbed gold medals during her first-ever competition in Russia revealed that she came to know about the competition through Instagram.

Bhavna Tokekar won accolades for #India. She competed in Open Asian Powerlifting Championships of AWPC/ WPC held at Chelyabinsk, Russia on the 13/14th of July in U67.5 Masters2 Category to bag 04 Gold in Powerlifting. Bhavna is wife of #IAF fighter pilot& active member of AFWWA. pic.twitter.com/dkFDEeHmTJ

— PRO Defence Nagpur (@PRODefNgp) 15 July 2019

Introduced to the wonderful world of Instagram fairly recently, Bhavna started following handles on the app which gave out fitness information and that is how she met World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh state head Mohammed Azmat, whose videos became her daily inspiration.

Bhavna attended the trials in May this year in Bengaluru and got selected for the Masters2 category (45-50 age group) and had to undergo technique corrections for powerlifting and was informed about the rules and regulations.

Notably, Bhavna's best lifts were Squat - 85 kg, Bench - 62.5 kg and Deadlifts - 120 kg.

Bhavna's Husband Became Her Inspiration

Bhavna's husband, IAF Captain S Tokekar accompanied her during her training and they both have run marathon twice. For Bhavna, her family is her pillars of strength. They have supported her in her endeavour. Bhavna said her family helped her follow her training and trained with her at the gym. She wishes that there is more awareness about strength sports in the country.

Interestingly, Bhavna is already working for her next championship - WPC Worlds 2019.