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The Paris 2024 Olympics begin from July 26 to August 11, and we're all geared up to cheer for Team India. We have had great champions in the past, from Neeraj Chopra, the javelin ace, to Mirabai Chanu, the weightlifting superwoman, who will be representing India this year too and will hopefully bring back gold.
As expectations rise and excitement builds, we must also look back and acknowledge stories that have gone unnoticed but remain impactful. With that in mind, the OMHSpotlight series brings its second episode, delving into the life of Dr Arathi Arun, a woman who defied convention at every turn. Married young at 18, she not only pursued her aim of becoming a dental surgeon but also followed her passion to become a formidable powerlifter, winning five gold medals in the 72 kg-M1 category at the 2019 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Canada.
Also Read: Paris Olympic Games 2024: WHO Issues Critical Health Advisory for Visitors to France
The Turning Point
From a young age, Arathi loved sports. In fact, during her school days, she was a state-level badminton player. But being raised in a conservative family, Arathi had to adhere to a lot of restrictions, including not being allowed to wear shorts, which also meant she could not participate in games and consequently, had to stop playing badminton.
“I got married at the age of 18. After I secured a seat in dental college, my parents, being very conservative, insisted I get married before moving to a different state for my studies. They believed their responsibility was to educate me, get me married, and be done with it,” she recalled.
After her marriage, Arathi’s husband supported her in her studies, and she eventually became a dental surgeon. Typical of a working married woman, she managed both her clinic and household responsibilities with the added responsibility of raising two children.
But it was after the birth of her second child that things took a different turn. Looking back, she said, “I gained a lot of weight—around 30 kg, which pushed my weight from 60 to 90 kg. I started getting body-shamed, which motivated me to join a gym to lose those extra kilos. At the gym, I was amazed to see people lifting heavy weights. I initially thought one needed big muscles to lift big weights, but I learned about powerlifting, which was considered a men's sport.”
Powerlifting is a strength sport, a form of competitive weightlifting, in which participants attempt three types of lifts, including squats, bench presses, and deadlifts.
When Dr Arathi expressed her interest in powerlifting, people discouraged her, saying it wasn't for women, especially not for a married woman with kids. But she was determined.
On Breaking Barriers
The initial path to achieving her dreams was not easy. She faced numerous challenges, from combating stereotypical remarks and balancing her life to having no one to coach her. However, realising the need for better guidance, she turned to YouTube and started learning from global powerlifters. She created her own training schedule and practised independently for a year. However, that was not enough.
During the conversation, Dr Arathi shared that it was very difficult to be a working woman, take on a different career, and do well in it. She shared that balancing everything required a lot of commitment and sacrifice.
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“Initially, I faced a lot of difficulties and sometimes questioned my decision. I sacrificed personal time, sleep, and leisure activities, like watching movies or going out with friends, to make time for practice. My children also sacrificed a lot. My family eventually supported me, and we adjusted to the demands of my training. It wasn't just my hard work but the collective sacrifice of my entire family.”
From there on, she participated in her first district championship in Chennai and won a bronze medal. This achievement boosted her confidence and garnered recognition for her talent. People started offering coaching, and that’s when her journey truly began. “Since then, I've won numerous medals, including 50 golds at district levels, 4 national golds, 5 national records, 4 Asian golds, and 5 Commonwealth golds,” she recounted with pride.
An Injury That Changed Her Life![]()
All was well and working according to plan until Dr Arathi sustained a terrible injury during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was preparing for an Asian Championship, aiming to break a 190 kg deadlift record. I had already lifted 200 kg twice in the gym and was confident. However, just 20 days before the championship, while pushing myself too hard, the rod slipped, fracturing my humerus bone,” she recalled and described how a titanium plate with 12 screws was placed from her shoulder to her elbow. Doctors told her lifting weights would be very difficult due to the injury and that she should retire from sports, plunging her into depression.
“I was on antidepressants, cried non-stop, and isolated myself,” she revealed.
However, one day, her daughter encouraged her, reminding her of her past achievements and urging her not to give up. “Her words hit me hard. Determined to prove everyone wrong, I joined a sports rehab centre and started my recovery,” she said, and within nine months, despite opposition, she participated in a competition, not to win but to prove to her that she could overcome anything.
Surprisingly, she won gold.
This was in December 2022. The following year, she won a bronze medal in the National Championship and is now preparing for the World Championship.
For Every Women Looking To Pursue Weight- Or Power-Lifting
“Many women already perform physically demanding tasks in their daily lives, like lifting 30 kgs water can or carrying bricks on their head and climbing 3-4 floors,” said Dr Arathi highlighting that the notion that powerlifting is only for men is a societal construct.
She said, “Women can do everything. The attitude that certain jobs are for men and others for women needs to change. Women should believe in their capabilities and not be deterred by societal norms,” she urged, concluding that the idea should be brought to children right from an early stage.