Kolkata/IBNS: The 50th National Senior Equipped Powerlifting Championship 2024 kicked off on Tuesday (August 20) at the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata, marking the first time in 50 years that the event is being held in the city.

A total of 258 powerlifters, including 156 men and 103 women, from various states and office teams, including Railways and BSNL, will showcase their strength and determination over the next five days.

The championship, scheduled from August 20 to 25, will serve as a critical platform for team selection for upcoming international competitions, including the World Championship, Asian Championship and Commonwealth Games.

President of the Indian Powerlifting Federation, Sathish Kumar, and President of the Bengal Powerlifting Association, Goutam Banerjee, were present at the inaugural event here.

"The Indian Powerlifting Federation is also exploring participation in the non-equipped section of the Olympics" said Arjuna Awardee Sathish Kumar.

Competitors from across the country, representing states such as Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Telangana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar, Goa Goa, and more along with the host state West Bengal have gathered for the championship, which also includes around 20 specially-abled powerlifters.