Grit and perseverance powered me to success, says Vijayawada-based powerlifter Bollineni Chandrika

Bollineni Chandrika: From adversity to powerlifting success, inspiring story of determination and triumph in Andhra Pradesh.

Bollineni Chandrika, who returned home to Vijayawada on Monday (February 24, 2025), after winning a bronze in the Women’s 84+ category in the National Senior Classic Powerlifting Championships held in Punjab between February 19 and 23, has become a well-known name in the field of powerlifting in Andhra Pradesh.

But, getting here was anything but easy for her. Years of struggle — financial, personal and societal — lay behind her success.

Hailing from Mangalagiri, Ms. Chandrika (31) grew up mostly under the care of her grandmother. Having lost both her parents and a grandparent at a young age, the responsibility of running the family fell on her grandmother, who had to set up a small breakfast stall to make ends meet.

“I would deliver the breakfast orders at doorsteps before going to school,” Ms. Chandrika, who studied in C.K. Girls’ High School in Mangalagiri, recalls. It was at the school that she was drawn to sports.

“My teachers encouraged me to prepare for powerlifting championships. I was 13 years old in 2006 when I began practising,” she says, adding that, however, her decision was not received well at home.

“I was told a girl was not supposed to play sports. I became a topic of neighbours’ gossip,” she recalls, adding that she did not let any of these bother her. Determination and her belief in her dreams kept her going.

After starting her B.Tech course, she began participating in Powerlifitng competitions. It was then that she received the title of ‘Strong Woman of A.P.’ Alongside a career in sports, she completed her M.Tech and began doing a part time job to support her dreams and secure her future. Now, a mother of a 4-year-old, Ms. Chandrika juggles a minimum of four-hours of practising, parenting and working.