Powerlifting Competition Coaching and Performance
From local state championships to international stages, see how we prepare athletes to execute on the platform and bring home medals.
This is Shweta, a Master's athlete, hitting a 125kg squat at the National Championship. We corrected her form, taught her proper breathing and bracing, and the results speak for themselves. She went from not knowing how to use her lower body to securing a bronze medal.
My athlete Yuti hitting a 72.5kg bench press at the Maharashtra State Championship. She overcame immense personal struggles to get back to training, and her determination is inspiring. Even when life gets tough, the gym can be a place to build strength, both mental and physical.
Pooja setting up for a squat at the National Open Championship. She suffers from Thoracic Endometriosis, which causes significant pain and breathing difficulty. We work around her health, managing her training to allow her to compete at the highest level.
Celebrating a silver medal with Pooja at the National Championship. She set a new national deadlift record and added 20kg to her total, all while battling a chronic illness. This is the result of a strong mind and a smarter training approach.
The official announcement of Pooja's new national deadlift record of 197.5kg. This wasn't just a personal best; it was the highest raw deadlift by any female in Powerlifting India history at the time.
Pooja preparing for her deadlift. This lift is the culmination of a year of navigating her health issues. Many doctors told her to stop lifting heavy, but we found a way to make her stronger and healthier.
Pooja on the podium, securing 2nd place at the National Open. She missed the gold medal only due to a higher bodyweight, showing she is right at the top of her game.
A view from the sidelines as Pooja benches at nationals. As a coach, my job is to make the right calls on the day, like adjusting her attempts when her self-unrack wasn't feeling right, to maximize her total and keep her safe.
The 84kg+ Open category podium at the National Championship. Seeing my athlete up there is the ultimate goal. We train to be the best and to stand on that podium.
This video sums up Pooja's mindset. When told that competing could trigger her endometriosis pain, she chose to risk it to break a national record. That's the heart of a champion.
About Peak Performance: National & International Champions
Competition day is about executing what we built in the gym, not guessing. Whether it is deciding on your opener based on how you feel during warm-ups, or correcting a technical fault mid-meet, I am in your corner making the calls so you can focus entirely on the lift.
Most lifters focus on their training blocks but neglect the chaos of meet day. My role as a coach involves more than just writing a program. It is about building a '9 for 9' mindset. I watch for the subtle cues: is your self-unrack feeling heavy? Are nerves affecting your breathing before a deadlift? These variables decide whether you leave the platform with a PR or a failed attempt.
We look at real-world examples. Take Pooja, who battled through endometriosis to set a national deadlift record. Or Sharwari, who came back from an accident weeks before her first UK meet to win 'Best Lifter'. These results were not luck; they were calculated risks and technique adjustments made in real-time.
My competition preparation focuses on:
- Peaking & Tapering: Managing fatigue so you hit your absolute peak on the day of the meet, not two weeks before.
- Attempt Selection: Calculating realistic jumps to maximize your total without the risk of bombing out.
- Technical Audits: Frame-by-frame video breakdowns of your Squat, Bench, and Deadlift to ensure your form holds up under maximum intensity.
If you are tired of walking into a meet without a game plan or second-guessing your strength, let us work. We will build your total and get you ready for the platform.
Vedant Pawnikar
I am Vedant. I do not train people to just look good; I train them to break records and stand on podiums. If you are serious about the platform, we will do the work together—the grinding, the technical corrections, and the winning.
Looking for specific coaching support?
You can search for specific training programs, technique audits, or competition strategies.
More from Powerlifting Injury Rehabilitation & Prevention by Vedant Pawnikar
More services by Vedant Pawnikar