In a remarkable achievement, IPS officer Anita Roy, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Puducherry, has made history by becoming the first IPS officer to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth International Classic Bench Press Competition. The event took place in Sun City, South Africa, on October 4, where Roy, 46, lifted 70 kg to secure her win against competitors from 43 countries.
Roy’s achievement is not only a testament to her physical strength but also her mental resilience. Juggling her demanding responsibilities as a law enforcement officer, Roy managed to pursue her passion for fitness and powerlifting. She emphasized the importance of staying healthy despite her hectic schedule, saying, “There’s always time to care for fitness.”
Her fitness journey began in 2019, but the path to success wasn’t easy. After contracting COVID-19 in 2021, Roy made a firm commitment to focus on her health, which led to her victory in the 2022 Delhi State Powerlifting Championship. A knee injury later forced her to pivot to bench pressing, where she found success again, winning the National Bench Press Championship in Bengaluru in 2023. Despite a setback at the World Bench Press Championship in Texas that year, Roy’s perseverance paid off in South Africa.
Roy dedicated her victory to her late father, who passed away from cancer in 2023, and to her widowed mother, Sumitra Roy. “When I won, my mother was the first to congratulate me. I think my victory also brought back joy in her life,” she said.
Roy’s journey from law enforcement to powerlifting aims to inspire others, particularly women over 40. “I wanted to convey a message that there is always time to care for oneself,” she said, reflecting on the balance between her profession and her passion.
Her story is a powerful reminder of how mental focus and determination can help overcome personal and professional challenges to achieve extraordinary goals.
