Raipur
Nineteen-year-old Babulal Hembrom is proving that true champions are built through grit, not expensive gear. The young weightlifter from Jharkhand has become the talk of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, clinching a silver medal in the 60kg category through sheer determination.
Coming from the small village of Keribanda, Babulal’s journey started with nothing but a dream. In 2018, his family could not afford professional weights or gym memberships. Refusing to quit, Babulal built his own strength by lifting bamboo sticks and heavy iron rods found at local construction sites. His coach, Gurvinder Singh, saw his potential early on, and Babulal rewarded that faith by traveling sixty kilometers every single day just to reach a proper training center.
The sacrifice has transformed his life and his family’s future. With his mother working as a cook and his father taking odd jobs, Babulal views every lift as a way to pull his loved ones out of poverty. He is no stranger to success, having already secured gold at the 2024 Youth Games and medals on the international stage.
Now training at the national camp in Patiala, Babulal is moving into the senior ranks with his sights set on the Commonwealth and Asian Games. His story serves as a powerful reminder that while talent is born, greatness is forged in the toughest conditions. From construction sites to the podium, Babulal Hembrom is lifting the hopes of an entire nation.