She lost her father when she was 10-years-old, but this Tenali-based athlete has been conquering the odds in her eventful journey in the world of weightlifting.
Sai Revathi Ghattamaneni, a student of M.Sc (Computer Science) at ASN Degree College, has not only been winning major national championships in weightlifting but has also topped this year’s common entrance test for admission into Physical Education courses in AP and Telangana (PECET).
The initiation into the world of sports took place when Revathi was studying B.Com at ASN Degree College, Tenali. Her tall, athletic personality gave her extra edge as she began competing in the inter- collegiate sports events of Acharya Nagarjuna University. She was good at athletics, handball and weightlifting though she chose weightlifting as her main sport.
“I lost my father when I was just 10-years-old. Born into an agricultural family, I knew little about sports. I was motivated to take up athletics when I was at ASN Degree College and I thank my personal coach Seshagiri Rao for motivating me. Right now, I am being coached by Amarnath,’’ says Revathi.
Inspired by chief coach and physical director at ASN Colleges, N. Seshagiri Rao, Revathi began honing her skills at the indoor stadium on the college premises. She began taking part in inter-university competitions in 2008-2009. She was a member of ANU handball team that took part in the South West Inter-University Championship at Maharashtra in 2008-2009.
After a string of successful performances in weightlifting, Revathi hit a purple patch in 2013 winning two successful gold medals at Senior Nationals at Mangalore and Khozikode in 63-kg category. She also won two individual awards in best lifter and strong woman categories in JNTU, Kakinada (2010-2011) and in ANU (2013-2014).
“Revathi is a fine prospect for country in powerlifting. She has the potential to bag the gold in commonwealth games,’’ says her coach Seshagiri Rao.
