KOCHI: Kochi native Joby Mathew lifted India’s first-ever gold medal in the masters’ category of the 2022 Asia-Oceania Para Powerlifting Open Championship in Pyeongtaek, South Korea on Thursday. Competing in his first powerlifting international event in the 59kg category, Joby lifted 140kg and 148 kg to finish on top.
By virtue of his lifts, Joby also grabbed gold medals in the Asian and Oceania category besides grabbing the yellow metals for the best lift and total lift respectively to finish on top in four categories.
In the general category, Joby finished eighth in world rankings. The performance also helped Joby qualify for the Asian Paralympic Games.
Joby has stunted legs, a birth condition considered as a physically challenged person with 60% disabilities.
Having won international medals in different sports disciplines such as arm wrestling and para badminton, the 46-year-old switched to powerlifting in the hope of representing the country in 2024 Paris Paralympics.
With the Asia Oceania Open Championship being considered as one of the mandatory events to qualify for the Paralympics, the manager at BPCL in Kochi has taken a big step towards realising his dream.
