Despite limited resources and financial constraints, Jharkhand’s young weightlifter Babulal Hembram is making a national mark through his struggle and hard work. Hailing from Keribanda village in Ramgarh district, Babulal is moving forward towards realizing his dreams with each medal he wins.
Babulal, who took up weightlifting on the advice of coach Gurvinder Singh, had a challenging initial phase. Due to a lack of resources, he began training at construction sites using bamboo and iron rods. Later, he enrolled at the Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society’s training center, where he continued to train, traveling approximately 60 kilometers daily.
Babulal, 19, said his family’s financial situation was poor. His mother worked as a cook at a local school, while his father worked odd jobs. Despite these circumstances, he refused to give up and maintained his dedication to the sport.
Babulal Hembram proved his mettle by winning the gold medal in the 49 kg category at the Khelo India Youth Games 2024 held in Chennai in 2024. He has also won medals at the IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships and the Asian Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships.
Babulal is currently in the news after winning a silver medal in the men’s 60 kg category at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. This achievement has proven to be a further boost to his confidence.
He is currently part of the national training camp in Patiala and is preparing to represent India at the senior level. Babulal’s goal is to bring glory to the country on major stages like the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Championships.