Fiji-born Australian powerlifter Varun Vimlesh Lal’s inspiring journey is one of resilience and dedication. Recently, he claimed third place in the 125kg category at the World Powerlifting Championships held in the United States on November 15. Competitors from Egypt and the USA took home the gold and silver medals, respectively.
Now residing in Park Ridge, Brisbane, Lal’s story is a testament to the power of dreams and hard work, particularly coming from his humble beginnings in Ba, Fiji, where his parents worked as sugarcane farmers. His father’s relentless 12-hour workdays in the sun instilled in him a strong work ethic and the determination to succeed.
Lal’s path led him to Australia to pursue Civil Engineering, where he faced challenges adapting to a new culture. With the unwavering support of his brother Rajneel and sister-in-law Vennita, he found his footing in this foreign land. Despite initial struggles in his profession due to different standards in mechanical engineering, the encouragement from his coworkers helped him adapt, eventually allowing him to work as a mechanical technician at an ice rink.
His introduction to powerlifting came just a year ago when he joined a team, and in an impressive nine-month period, he was selected to represent Australia under the CAPO federation. Lal aims to lift an impressive deadlift of 230-240 kg, celebrating his extraordinary achievements as someone from a small Fijian farming community.
More recently, his father’s serious accident in Fiji added a personal challenge during Lal’s preparation for the competition. However, Lal remains focused, vowing to honor his father with his performance. He views his world debut as a means to break barriers and prove that individuals from humble beginnings can achieve greatness on an international scale.
In addition to his family, Lal credits his partner, Keisha, for being his emotional support throughout his journey. He hopes to inspire young people in the Pacific, emphasizing that determination can lead to remarkable achievements, no matter the obstacles faced.
Lal’s story stands as a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes in marginalized communities, showing that dreams can truly be realized through perseverance and hard work. His positive perspective and commitment to lifting others, both literally and metaphorically, make his journey a powerful narrative of triumph against adversity.
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