When former Army coach Gurvinder Singh suggested that Babulal Hembrom focus on weightlifting due to his body type, the main challenge for the teenager from Keribanda village in Jharkhand was securing funds for the sport. Undeterred, Babulal improvised training with bamboo sticks and iron rods at construction sites before joining the Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society coaching center, where he commuted 60 km daily for training under Gurvinder.
“It was tough initially in 2018 as we couldn’t afford proper equipment. I used bamboo sticks and iron rods for training. With support from JSPS and my coach, I persevered,” shared Babulal, who clinched the silver medal in the men’s 60kg category at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026.
Coming from a financially struggling background with his parents working odd jobs, Babulal, the youngest of five siblings at 19, remains optimistic about his future. Having excelled nationally and internationally in age-group competitions, he aims to transition to the senior circuit and represent India in major tournaments, currently training at national camps in Patiala.
Babulal’s recent success at the Khelo India Tribal Games has bolstered his confidence in pursuing weightlifting. Looking ahead, he plans to discuss future targets with his coaches upon returning to the national camp. His aspirations include competing in prestigious international events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and world championships.
