Parm, who is currently part of the Canadian Senior National Team and is a distinguished three-time National Champion, is excited about making another trip to the Commonwealth Games after the 2014 Delhi Games weren’t the best for him after he caught a case of what the locals call “Delhi Belly.”
By R. Paul Dhillon
SURREY – Champion Indo-Canadian weightlifter Parm Phangura, who has previously competed at numerous national and international competitions with many victories, will be making one of his last international outings at this month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23-August 3.
Born and raised in Quesnel, British Columbia, where he was inspired to get into the sport after the city built great facilities following Indo-Canadian weigthtlifter Parmjit Gill’s great success in the sport.
Currently residing in Surrey, BC, Phangura has dedicated over 13 years, beginning in 2000, of his life to Olympic Weightlifting; a sport that is sheer in tradition and history and that has always been his passion.
Phangura, who is currently part of the Canadian Senior National Team and is a distinguished three-time National Champion, is excited about making another trip to the Commonwealth Games after the 2014 Delhi Games weren’t the best for him after he caught a case of what the locals call “Delhi Belly.”
“Due to a long 30 hour troubled flight – there was an emergency and the plane had to turn back – and then when we get to Delhi, I got really sick and the lack of good hygiene in the food service there didn’t help matters as I was feeling really sick,” Phangura told the LINK Thursday, adding that organizers had done a good job overall in hosting the athletes despite the massive corruption that saddled the games.
“It is what it is but still it was a memorable experience,” he said.
Competing in the heavyweight category, Phangura is ranked No. 5 ranked in his weight class and is hoping to move up to have a chance to score a medal in the Games.
Currently working in the Occupational Health and Safety field in Abbotsford after graduating from BCIT in 2007, Phangura has been on his own, training at his home gym, at Universal Fitness and SFU to prepare for various competitions.
After the Commonwealth Games, Phangura said he will wind down his competitive career with full retirement from the sport following the Toronto-held Pan-Am Games.
“My biggest take from weightlifting has been discipline and it’s a great thing that I can apply to many things in my lifem” Phangura said, adding he would like to thank his coaches, particularly Makhan Sandhu.
Phangura has successfully competed in renowned national and international weightlifting competitions, where he has constantly ranked amongst the top participants. Here are some of the highlights of his career:
- Silver – 2002 American Open – Savannah, Georgia, USA
- Bronze – 2004 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships – Malta 2004
- Manuel Suarez Invitational Tournament – Cuba 2007
- 3 x Gold – Senior National Championship
- 3x Silver – Senior National Championship
- 7x Gold – Western Canadian Championship
- Pan American Championship – Ranked top 8
- Commonwealth Games – New Delhi, India 2010
- Senior World Championships – Paris, France 2011
In an effort to become an ambassador for his community and province, Phangura is presently coaching young weightlifters and non-weightlifters at his Performance Lifting club.
For more information contact Parm Phangura at [email protected]
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