No burden too heavy for Rajan
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On normal days, you will find E.C. Rajan in his blue shirt, lifting sacks of vegetables or construction material in Ernakulam, but on competition days he puts on a weightlifting belt and goes hunting for gold.
Little did the world around him know that comrade Rajan, member of the CITU, won four gold medals for India in the Asian Powerlifting Championship held in Udaipur from May 1 to 7.
The 39-year-old was one of the most successful campaigners wearing the Indian colours when he clean swept all the first places in the 66 kg category — such as bench press, squat, dead lift and combined.
“Many say that lifting weights is part of my job so it is not a big deal. But, it is not as easy as it seems when you compete against the best in the world and I am glad I could do it for my country,” said Rajan.
It is surprising that while India’s medal winners on the international circuits are relatively famous, this strong man remains content to live in relative obscurity and is always ready to lift more for the nation.
“It is a passion that I grew up with so even when I don’t see the public recognising me out there I am happy.
The nicest part is the support given to me by my union and friends,” says the humble powerlifter.
Rajan has always been cautious about his health and he has been training at the gymnasium for nearly 20 years.
Moreover, his dedication to sports is so great that he keeps away from drinking or smoking. “That is another thing that keeps me glued to powerlifting. It has given my life some discipline.
I practice a couple of months before every event,” says Rajan, who is also the winner of state and national medals.
Unmarried, but loved by one and all in the union, he was greeted by hoardings and banners when he arrived victorious.
“It was a surprise... They love me so much. It propels me to win more medals for the country,” Rajan says.
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