AHMEDABAD: Lalit Patel, a 56-year-old powerlifter from Gujarat, won three gold medals at the IBBF World Powerlifting Championship held in Pattaya, Thailand.

Competing in the Master Two category (83-93kg), Patel topped the podium in the bench press, deadlift and squat events in the competition held between May 10 and 12.

Patel has been training intensively for the past eight months to prepare for the global event. He took up powerlifting just five years ago and follows a strict vegetarian diet.

“Age and diet are no barriers to success,” said Patel.

Over the years, Patel has bagged 16 district-level, 18 state-level and 12 national-level medals. With this international feat, he now plans to guide young athletes and explore competitive bodybuilding.