Desaraju Venkata Sankara Rao
Desaraju Venkata Sankara Rao 
| |
|---|---|
 National Powerlifting Champion & Retired SBI Officer | Bhadrachalam, Telangana | |
| Born | 17 June 1953 |
| Birth Place | Bhadrachalam, Telangana, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Retired SBI Officer, National Powerlifting Champion, Concurrent Audit Assistant |
| Known for | First Indian and Fastest to Win 4 Gold Medals at National Powerlifting Championship Post Heart Bypass Surgery; India Book of Records; Best of India Records; Indian Book of Records; Great Indian Book of Records |
| Organisation | State Bank of India (Retired) |
| City | Bhadrachalam, Telangana, India |
| Age | 73 Years |
Desaraju Venkata Sankara Rao (popularly known as DV Sankara Rao) is a 73-year-old retired State Bank of India (SBI) Officer based in Bhadrachalam, Telangana, India. Born on 17 June 1953, he is one of India's most inspirational sporting figures — a man who defied age, illness and adversity to become the First Indian and Fastest person to win 4 Gold Medals and the Championship at the National Powerlifting Championships following a heart bypass surgery. Just six months after undergoing major cardiac surgery, he trained relentlessly at City Style Gym, Bhadrachalam and emerged as a national champion in the 83 kg Masters Classic category at Kozhikode, Kerala — an achievement that has earned him recognition from four national book of records organisations. His extraordinary journey from bypass surgery survivor to national champion has inspired thousands across India and made him a symbol of resilience, determination and the indomitable human spirit.
Background
Desaraju Venkata Sankara Rao was born on 17 June 1953 in Bhadrachalam, Telangana, India. He built a long and distinguished career with the State Bank of India (SBI) — serving as a banking professional before retiring. Following his retirement, he continues to serve as a Concurrent Audit Assistant at SBI, Mini RACPC, Paloncha — reflecting his continued commitment to professional service well into his seventies.
His story is not just one of athletic achievement — it is a story of extraordinary human courage. When most people his age would have been content to rest and recover after a serious heart surgery, DV Sankara Rao chose instead to train, compete and win — at the national level — inspiring an entire nation with his refusal to be defined by his age or his health challenges.
Powerlifting Journey
From Bypass Surgery to National Champion — 6 Months
After undergoing a heart bypass surgery, Desaraju Venkata Sankara Rao made an extraordinary decision — to train for and compete in the National Powerlifting Championships. In just 6 months of dedicated training at City Style Gym, Bhadrachalam, he prepared himself for national-level competition — a feat that medical professionals and fitness experts across India have described as remarkable.
His determination, discipline and commitment to his training programme — despite his age and cardiac history — resulted in one of the most inspiring sporting achievements in recent Indian history.
National Powerlifting Championships — Kozhikode, Kerala
At the Powerlifting India Masters Classic Nationals held at Kozhikode, Kerala, Desaraju Venkata Sankara Rao competed in the 83 kg category and achieved the following extraordinary results:
- 🏆 Overall Championship
- 🥇 Gold Medal — Squat
- 🥇 Gold Medal — Bench Press
- 🥇 Gold Medal — Deadlift
- 🥇 Gold Medal — Total
He became the First Indian and Fastest person to win four gold medals and the championship at a national powerlifting event following a heart bypass surgery — a historic achievement that earned him recognition from multiple national record organisations.
National Classic Benchpress Championship — Faridabad
At the National Classic Benchpress Championship held at Faridabad, DV Sankara Rao competed in his second consecutive national powerlifting championship and won a Bronze Medal — cementing his reputation as a consistent and formidable competitor at the national level. This made him a celebrated Bypass Survivor Legend in Indian powerlifting circles.
International Selection — South Africa and Turkey
Following his national championship victory, Desaraju Venkata Sankara Rao was selected to represent India at the World Powerlifting Championships — to be held in South Africa and Turkey. However, due to the lack of encouragement and support from government authorities and others, he was unable to travel and represent India at the international level — a missed opportunity that reflects the broader challenges faced by senior athletes in India in securing institutional support.
Record Recognitions
Desaraju Venkata Sankara Rao's achievement has been recognised by four prestigious national book of records organisations:
Best of India Records — Delhi
- Record Ref No. BR25HL0908
- Recognised for his Heroic Feats: Triumph of Steely Resolve — his achievement at Kozhikode was identified as the first of its kind and the fastest such fitness journey post-retirement and surgery in India
- Telugu Recognition: ఉత్తమ భారతీయుడు (Uttama Bharatiyudu — Best Indian)
Indian Book of Records — Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu
- Record Ref No. IBRS20256086
- DV Sankara Rao was identified as an Incredible Indian for his achievement at Kozhikode
- Telugu Recognition: అద్భుత భారతీయుడు (Adbhuta Bharatiyudu — Incredible Indian)
Great Indian Book of Records — Pune, Maharashtra
- Certificate No. GIBOR26006DS/RECORDS/30.12.2025
- DV Sankara Rao was identified as a Great Indian for his achievement at Kozhikode
- Telugu Recognition: గొప్ప భారతీయుడు (Goppa Bharatiyudu — Great Indian)
India Book of Records — Faridabad
- Recognised for: Maximum gold medals won in a single national powerlifting championship by a septuagenarian
- This record specifically recognises his achievement of winning the maximum number of gold medals in a single national powerlifting event by an athlete aged 70 or above
Vision and Goals
Desaraju Venkata Sankara Rao's next objective is to win a third consecutive National Championship title at the National Powerlifting Championships scheduled for July 2026 — thereby qualifying for the International Powerlifting Championship in the United States of America.
In his own words:
I am determined to represent the State of Telangana and the Nation with distinction, and to create an international record that will bring honour to us all.
His vision is not just personal achievement — it is a message to every elderly person, every bypass surgery survivor and every individual who has been told that age or illness is a barrier: that with determination, discipline and an unbreakable will, anything is possible.
Online Presence
- Instagram — dvshankar.rao
- Facebook — Desaraju Venkata Sankara Rao
- YouTube — DV Shankar Rao
- Email — dvshankar.rao@gmail.com