MARGAO
Breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport, 21-year-old Aivanna Miranda from Orlim has made a mark in the national powerlifting scene. A postgraduate student pursuing her Master's in Social Work (HR) at Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Aivanna recently bagged four medals at the National Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championship 2025 held in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
Competing in the under-63kg junior category, Aivanna clinched: Silver in squats, lifting 127.5kg and managing a clean 130kg in her third attempt, though it was not awarded due to a technical decision. Silver in bench press, with successful lifts of 70kg, 75kg, and 77.5kg. Bronze in deadlift, with a best attempt of 152.5kg. Silver overall, finishing as the second-strongest lifter in her weight category with a total of 357.5kg.
Aivanna’s powerlifting journey began at a young age when she would accompany her father, Roy Miranda, to the gym. Initially drawn to the gym for fitness, her interest piqued when she watched others, including her father, lift heavy weights. She soon expressed a desire to pursue strength training seriously. Encouraged by her parents, Roy and Kim Miranda, Aivanna began training under professional coach Darren Coutinho, co-founder of M.A.D.E Fitness.
Her mother, Kim, pointed out the challenges faced by athletes like Aivanna, particularly the lack of government support. “Parents end up bearing all the financial burden — from training costs to travel — which puts a strain on family budgets,” she said, emphasizing the need for better support systems for aspiring athletes.
Despite the obstacles, Aivanna’s dedication and performance reflect a rising star in Indian powerlifting, showing that strength knows no gender.
