When former Army coach Gurvinder Singh suggested that Babulal Hembrom give up other sports and take up weightlifting because of his physique, the biggest challenge for the teenager from Keribanda village in Ramgarh district of Jharkhand was arranging funds to pursue the sport. Instead of giving up, Babulal began training with bamboo sticks and iron rods at construction sites before joining the Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society (JSPS) coaching centre. This required him to commute nearly 60 km daily to train under Gurvinder Singh. “It was a tough period for me when I took up the sport in 2018. Financially, we couldn’t afford the equipment or the training kit, so I practised using bamboo sticks and iron rods.

 

Later, I received coaching support from JSPS and my coach, and here I am,” said Babulal, who won the silver medal in the men’s 60kg category at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Raipur. “My mother works as a cook in a local school and my father does odd jobs. We always struggled for financial stability. But I am confident that my success at Khelo India events will bring better opportunities as I continue to win more medals,” said the 19-year-old, the youngest among five siblings. Babulal Hembrom has already been making his mark at the national and international level in the age-group circuit. In 2024, he clinched the gold medal in the 49kg category at the Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai.

 

He then went on to win medals at the IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships as well as the Asian Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships. Now transitioning to the senior circuit, Babulal has set his sights on making it to the Indian team for major international tournaments. He is currently part of the national training camp in Patiala. “This silver medal at the Khelo India Tribal Games has boosted my confidence and reassured me that I am on the right path with my training. Once I return to the national camp, I will discuss my future targets with my coaches and prepare accordingly. My ambition is to represent India at major international events like the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Championships,” Babulal added.