Bengaluru Sisters Radhika and Aarya Gadiya Excel in Powerlifting

Two young Bengaluru sisters, six-year-old Aarya Gadiya and two-year-old Radhika Gadiya, are achieving remarkable milestones in powerlifting under the training of their father, former powerlifter Sanjay Gadiya. Radhika recently won a gold medal at the WPC Karnataka State Championship 2026, while Aarya previously set a world record by performing a 30kg deadlift hold as a preschooler and pulled a 2,000kg car on the television show 'India’s Got Talent'.

The sisters' training began unexpectedly when Aarya, at four years old, accompanied her father to the gym. She surprised trainers by lifting a 20kg Olympic barbell, which stands six and a half feet tall. She soon progressed to lifting 30kg, setting a world record for the heaviest deadlift hold by a preschooler, and has since established four additional records in the International Book of Records.

Sanjay Gadiya, who transitioned to coaching after a spinal injury ended his own powerlifting career, manages his daughters' development with a focus on safety. Their routine is paired with a traditional vegetarian Jain diet rich in paneer, curd, ghee, and cheese, with a strict rule against packaged foods or artificial supplements.

The training sessions are designed to prevent injuries and incorporate play. Aarya’s daily routine features a 15-minute warm-up, a 30-minute workout, and 15 minutes of playtime, while Radhika's training remains very mild. The girls also practice karate and boxing.

While the sisters train under close family supervision, medical professionals advise caution for young children engaging in weightlifting. Dr. Ameya Kagali, a sports medicine specialist, noted that while early strength training can improve bone density, competitive lifting is generally not recommended for children under 10 or 12 years of age. Palak Dengla, chief physiotherapist at Aster RV Hospital, added that heavy resistance training is often unsuitable for children whose bones and joints are still developing, warning that children should never train through pain or fatigue.