Overcoming Financial Hardships, Jharkhand’s Babulal Hembram Shines in Weightlifting

Raipur, March 2026 : Defying financial constraints and limited resources, young weightlifter Babulal Hembram from Jharkhand is carving out a strong identity for himself on the national stage through sheer determination and hard work. Hailing from Keribanda village in Ramgarh district, Babulal is steadily turning his dreams into reality, one medal at a time.

Inspired by his coach Gurvinder Singh, Babulal took up weightlifting, but his early journey was far from easy. With a lack of proper facilities and equipment, he began training at construction sites using bamboo sticks and iron rods. Despite these challenges, his passion for the sport never wavered. He later secured admission at a training centre run by the Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society, where he would travel nearly 60 kilometres ежедневно to train.

The 19-year-old athlete shared that his family has faced significant financial difficulties. His mother works as a cook in a local school, while his father takes up small jobs to support the family. In spite of these hardships, Babulal remained committed to his sport and continued to push his limits.

His dedication paid off in 2024 when he won a gold medal in the 49 kg category at the Khelo India Youth Games held in Chennai, establishing himself as a promising talent. He further proved his mettle by securing medals at the IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championship and the Asian Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championship.

Currently, Babulal is in the spotlight for winning a silver medal in the men’s 60 kg category at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. This achievement has significantly boosted his confidence and strengthened his resolve to excel further.

At present, he is part of the national training camp in Patiala, where he is preparing to represent India at the senior level. With his eyes set on prestigious international platforms such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Championships, Babulal Hembram aims to bring glory to the country.

His journey stands as a powerful example of how perseverance, discipline, and the right guidance can help overcome even the toughest circumstances, inspiring countless young athletes across the nation.