At 75 years old, Ramesh Khare from Pen in Raigad district has achieved a remarkable feat by winning a gold medal at the National Masters Powerlifting Equipped and Unequipped competition held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Known affectionately as Appa Khare, Ramesh trains at the Hanuman Gymnasium in Pen. Competing in the 66 kg weight category, he lifted a total of 205 kg to secure his gold medal. His impressive lifts included 60 kg in the squat, 55 kg in the bench press, and 90 kg in the deadlift. His outstanding performance earned him four gold medals across various categories, marking him as a top contender in his group.
Ramesh Khare, a retired head mechanic from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, trains under the guidance of National Powerlifting medalists Rajesh and Mayura Annagat, who also direct the Hanuman Gym. Beyond his athletic achievements, Khare serves as a bodybuilding judge and is actively involved with the Raigad organization.
His success has garnered widespread recognition and praise. The Powerlifting Sports Association of Raigad, including President Girish Vedak, Vice President Subhash Bhate, Joint Secretary Sachin Bhalerao, Treasurer Rahul Gajarmal, and other notable members such as Sandeep Patkar, Subhash Tembe, Dattatray More, Yashwant Mokal, Madhav Pandit, and Secretary Arun Patkar, have all extended their heartfelt congratulations.
Sanjay Sardesai, the Secretary of the Maharashtra State Powerlifting Association, commended Ramesh Khare for being an inspiring role model to the younger generation in Raigad. By achieving such an extraordinary milestone at his age, Khare has not only brought pride to his community but also demonstrated that dedication and hard work can lead to success at any stage of life.
