Thane's Annette Mahesh Gowda Shines in Women's Bench Press Competitions

Annette Mahesh Gowda, a powerlifter from Thane, Maharashtra, has made headlines by winning silver medals in both national and continental competitions. Her recent achievements include a silver at the National Bench Press Championship and another at the Asian Open in Turkey. Under the guidance of coach Swapnil Patil, Annette has consistently excelled in her category, showcasing her strength and determination. As she prepares for more competitions, her journey reflects resilience and a commitment to representing India on the global stage. Read on to learn more about her inspiring story and future aspirations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 17, 2026, 16:38 IST

Annette Mahesh Gowda's Impressive Performance

Mumbai, January 17: Annette Mahesh Gowda from Thane, Maharashtra, has kicked off the season with remarkable achievements in the women's bench press category, securing two silver medals in consecutive months—one at the continental level and another at the national level.

During the National Bench Press Championship organized by Powerlifting India at the Sports Complex in Faridabad, she showcased her strength by winning a silver medal in the Master 1 - 84 kg category.

Just a month prior, Annette, aged 42, earned a silver medal in the same category at the Asian Open and Masters Classic Powerlifting Championship held from December 2 to 10 in Istanbul, Turkey.

These two medals mark a continuation of her successful journey in the 2025-26 season, where she has consistently achieved podium finishes at district, state, national, and international levels in bench press competitions across various federations.

Under the mentorship of coach Swapnil Patil at Riofitness Management since 2020, Annette began her season at the Thane District Bench Press Championship organized by the Thane District Powerlifting Association in August 2025, lifting 75 kg and earning the title of Strong Woman of Thane.

She further showcased her skills at the Maharashtra State Bench Press Championship in November 2025 at Dnyaneshwar Vidyalay, Wadala, where she matched her previous lift of 75 kg and secured second place in her category, representing the Maharashtra State Powerlifting Association.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Annette has built a strong competitive profile, demonstrating determination and consistent performance while representing her state and country at various levels.

Earlier this week, she participated in the Master 1 – 84 kg Category Bench Press Competition in Thane, where top lifters from across India competed for national recognition. The event featured seasoned athletes from Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.

Kavita Rani from Delhi led the competition with an impressive lift of 101.0 kg, achieving the highest bench press in the category.

Annette Gowda, representing Maharashtra, displayed exceptional form and consistency, solidifying her status as a skilled and reliable master lifter.

Another Maharashtra lifter, Gauri A. Ghodekar, also performed well, achieving a best lift of 77.5 kg.

As the season progresses, Annette is preparing for upcoming national and international events, aiming to continue her medal-winning streak for India. With a renewed sense of purpose, this experienced powerlifter is determined to seize every opportunity.