Ravi Sood was 70 years previous when he first picked up a barbell.
“Each my knees wanted changing, and the orthopaedic surgeon stated that if I had my muscular tissues in good situation, the surgical procedure can be simpler,” he stated.
The Canberra astrophysicist sailed via the process and located a brand new ardour for lifting heavy weights.
Twelve years, a coronary heart assault, and a nationwide report later, the now-82-year-old is travelling to South Africa to symbolize Australia on the World Masters Powerlifting Championships.
“That is my dream come true,”
he stated.
“Simply the truth that I am sporting Australian inexperienced and gold, for me, that is unbelievable.”
Ravi Sood holds the Australian deadlift report for his age group. (ABC Information: Lily Nothling)
Ravi’s aim is to beat his earlier nationwide deadlift report for his age and weight class of 115 kilograms.
“I do not actually care if I win any medals — simply to symbolize my nation at a world degree, that is out of this world,” he stated.
Whereas many can discover the gymnasium atmosphere intimidating, powerlifting has reworked the octogenarian’s life and launched him to a brand new group.
“While you go and enter a contest, everybody cheers you on — there isn’t any ‘I’ll kill you’ like they do in hockey or soccer,” he laughed.
His pump-up playlist is much from typical, boasting the likes of Slim Dusty, Elvis Presley and John Williamson.
Ravi Sood says lifting weights has modified his life. (ABC Information: Lily Nothling)
‘Life does not cease while you become old’
Coach Megan Hinchley, who has been coaching Ravi because the begin, stated the 82-year-old was a task mannequin for ageing healthily.
“It simply reveals that life does not cease while you become old, which you could proceed to have targets and to have function and to push your self,” she stated.
“You by no means must cease giving issues a go and also you by no means know the place they may take you.”
The advantages of energy coaching for ageing our bodies are well-documented.
An astrophysicist, Ravi Sood has bounced again from a double knee alternative and a coronary heart assault. (ABC Information: Lily Nothling)
Lifting weights affords safety towards power situations like coronary heart illness, diabetes and osteoporosis.
“When individuals are younger, they prefer to be sturdy and match for sport or aesthetic causes,” Ms Hinchley stated.
“However I feel it is having the ability to preserve that and develop that as you become old as a result of it simply helps you persevering with residing the life you wish to reside.”
She stated all her shoppers, younger and previous, liked figuring out alongside Ravi. He even motivated one other 83-year-old lady at his gymnasium to participate in a powerlifting competitors for the primary time.
“There are people who find themselves coaching with him and so they wish to have a break, however they see the 82-year-old nonetheless figuring out, so they have to maintain going as properly,” Ms Hinchley stated.
Mr Sood has been an inspiration for Veronika Pasalic, who can be lifting weights for her well being. (ABC Information: Lily Nothling)
Fellow gym-goer Veronika Pasalic stated she was excited to cheer Mr Sood on on the world championships from afar.
“I needed to begin lifting and making an attempt to get stronger from a wholesome getting old perspective, so seeing somebody who’s of their 80s and lifting the form of weights that he is lifting is tremendous inspiring,” she stated.
“I wish to be like Ravi after I develop up.”
