Powerlifting gives university student 'purpose'

A university banking and IT student says competing as a powerlifter has "given her purpose".

Amrita Panda, 20, said she took on competing after a friend who was determined to qualify for a powerlifting competition died after a cancer diagnosis in 2023.

Miss Panda, who is on a placement at Lloyds Banking Group while studying at the University of Bath, has taken part in three competitions since her friend's death.

"That was the push factor. This incredible person had this dream, this unfulfilled thing. It was such a shame he couldn't do it, so I should try," she said.

Powerlifting athletes compete in the squat, bench press and deadlift categories, to see who can lift as much weight as possible for a single rep in their personal weight category.

Miss Panda was born in New Delhi, India, before moving to Mumbai and then Hong Kong. She has lived in Bath for three years to study management marketing.

Miss Panda won her first medal in February

She told BBC Radio Bristol she joined the gym as a "why not" after coronavirus restrictions began to lift in Mumbai where she was living in 2021.

She now competes in the under 57kg (125lbs) category, and holds personal bests of 65kg (143lbs) bench press, 140kg (308lbs) deadlift and 105kg (231lbs) squat.

In February she won her first powerlifter medal in a regional competition and has her sight set on more competitions next year.

"It really changed my life, I felt healthier, stronger and I would really say competing has given me a purpose," she said.

"There's always something to work towards and to get better at it."

She competes in the under 57kg category

She said her friend "really wanted to compete" at the British Universities and Colleges Sport Powerlifting Championships before he was diagnosed.

Miss Panda, who is also a black belt in karate, qualified for the same competition this year after failing to do it in 2024.

"That friend of mine, I didn't know him for very long.

"He was a very good person and obviously wanted to do something with lifting. It felt like I have the chance, this opportunity, and so many resources at my feet.

"I have the sessions at the university, I have a gym membership, a coach.

"There's so much I can do, and I have the time to do it so why shouldn't I?"

'Women can be strong'

Miss Panda also said more women are powerlifters and is encouraging more to pick up the sport.

"A lot of women go into the gym with the sole goal of 'I want to look a certain way'. You can be just fit, not extremely skinny.

"Be a healthy, good version of yourself where you're strong. I think that's really cool."

She is working towards more national competitions in 2026.