KADAPA: Hailing from an agricultural family, 25-year-old Korlakunta Nagaraju has distinguished himself in powerlifting at national and international levels, bringing pride to India. A resident of Medimakulakunta village in Annamayya district, Nagaraju expressed confidence that government financial support would help him achieve even more accolades on the global stage.
The son of K Ramanaiah and K Ratnamma, Nagaraju completed his intermediate studies in 2019 in Kallevandlapalli. Financial hardships forced him to pause his education and take up a job as a manager at a bar and restaurant in Tirupati in 2022.
It was here that his journey into powerlifting began, encouraged by bouncers who introduced him to the Rock gym. Inspired by their commitment to fitness, Nagaraju pursued powerlifting under the guidance of coaches Prem Chand and Fazil Master.
In 2023, Nagaraju made a mark at the State level, winning a gold medal at a powerlifting event in Adoni, Kurnool district, by lifting 240 kg in the 74 kg category. His success continued nationally, where he secured another gold medal at the Sanyukta Bhartiya Khel Foundation (SBKF) 9th National Games in Dharamshala, lifting an impressive 380 kg in the Under-23 category.
Encouraged by Bhaskar Rao of the powerlifting association, Nagaraju qualified for international competitions. In April 2024, he lifted 380 kg in the 74 kg category at the SBKF 9th International Games in Pokhara, Nepal, clinching yet another gold medal. He repeated this success in September 2024, lifting 390 kg and competing against athletes from Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
His achievements have been celebrated by the Village Reconstruction and Development Society, with Chairman Surendra Reddy honouring him at an event in Veeraballi. Local officials promised to bring Nagaraju’s case to the government’s attention for employment and financial aid. He revealed that he has been borrowing large sums of money to participate in competitions and appealed for government support to further his powerlifting career.
His major achievements
In 2023, Nagaraju made a significant impact at the State level winning a gold medal in Adoni, lifting 240 kg in the 74 kg category. He continued his success at the national level, securing another gold medal at the SBKF 9th National Games in Dharamshala, lifting 380 kg in the Under-23 category. In April 2024, he clinched gold again at the SBKF 9th International Games in Nepal, lifting 380 kg and later lifted 390 kg in September