KOCHI: The biggest burden on Revathy K’s shoulders is not the 186kg deadlift that made her a national record holder. It is the excruciating weight of poverty.Revathy’s mother, Kannamma, works as a Haritha Karma Sena waste management worker, while father, Karuppaswami, is a ticket seller. In a household where every rupee is accounted for, international sport is a distant dream.Yet, the 23-year-old powerlifter has been picked to represent India at the Asia Pacific African Classic and Equipped Powerlifting Championship 2026 in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in July in the Classic 63 kg category. At the Senior Classic National Powerlifting Championship held in Mangalore in March, she clinched silver with a combined total of 388.5kg (squat, bench and deadlift).Revathy also set a new national record in the Open deadlift category with 186 kg lift, breaking her previous record. It helped her secure a spot for the tournament in South Africa.Even after earning the India jersey, her financial hurdles persist. In India, powerlifting remains largely self-funded with minimal government support. To compound matters, it's not an Olympic sport. Revathy says she requires over Rs 3 lakh for her international travel, visa expenses, competition gear, and specialised nutrition required to compete at the elite level.“I am not seeking charity,” Revathy told TOI. “I am seeking partnership. I want to carry the India flag and lift for my family, my state and my country.”As she races against time to arrange funds for her travel, another concern weighs heavily on her mind: Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.“My parents keep hearing about it in the news, so naturally, they are anxious,” Revathy said. “But representing India has always been my dream, so I am staying focused.”Despite the fears, she says she is following all travel advisories and health protocols. Revathy’s journey into powerlifting began while studying at Kochi's Government Girls Higher Secondary School. What began as curiosity turned into passion for the sport. She graduated in Economics at Maharaja’s College and is currently pursuing an MBA degree under sports quota at Salem’s AVS Engineering College.“At present, I am also working as a freelance personal trainer to support her training and competition expenses.Last year, she joined the Hybrid Performance Centre in Panampilly Nagar, under coach Santosh P, where Revathy transformed into one of the country’s strongest lifters.“There is momentum building for powerlifting across the world, and India has some serious talent coming through. Revathy is a classic example of that,” Santosh said.“We have been supporting her for the past year as an elite athlete, and the progress she has made has been remarkable.”“I genuinely believe she has the potential to finish on top of the podium in South Africa,” he said. “The reality is that powerlifting is still not a mainstream sport in India because there is little government support,” he added.For Revathy, South Africa is the culmination of years spent balancing poverty, academics, and punishing training sessions in pursuit of a dream few around her believed was possible.Stay updated with IPL Live Score and the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL schedule and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap.