Mumbai, Jan 17 (NationPress) In a season filled with significant competitions, Annette Mahesh Gowda from Thane, Maharashtra, has kicked off impressively in the women's bench press category, clinching two silver medals in consecutive months—one at the continental level and another on the national stage.

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

Last month, Annette, aged 42, also earned a silver medal in the Master 1 - 84kg category at the Asian Open and Masters Classic Powerlifting Championship, which took place from December 2 to 10 in Istanbul, Turkey.

These two medals mark a continuation of her achievements in the 2025-26 season, during which Annette Mahesh Gowda has consistently won medals at the 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 current season at the Thane District Bench Press Championship organized by the Thane District Powerlifting Association in August 2025, where she achieved a lift of 75 kg, earning the title of Strong Woman of Thane.

Her performance continued at the state level during the Maharashtra State Bench Press Championship held in November 2025 at Dnyaneshwar Vidyalay, Wadala, where she matched her lift of 75 kg and secured second place in her category.

Throughout 2025-26, Annette has steadily built her competitive profile, representing her state and country with unwavering determination and consistent results.

This week, she participated in the Master 1 – 84 kg Category Bench Press Competition in Thane, Maharashtra. This event showcased a remarkable display of strength, featuring top lifters from across India vying for national accolades. Competitors hailed from Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.

Leading the event, Kavita Rani from Delhi delivered an outstanding performance, successfully lifting 101.0 kg to achieve the highest bench press in the category.

Annette Gowda, representing Maharashtra, showcased remarkable form and reliability, confirming her standing as a skilled and dependable master lifter.

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

As the season progresses, Annette is preparing for the upcoming major competitions at both national and international levels, aiming to continue adding medals to India's collection. She believes life has granted her a second chance, and she intends to seize every opportunity to excel.