Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Felicitates PHYSIS by TALC Student Sohursh Shankar for Gold Medal Win at World Powerlifting Championships in Manchester

Bengaluru, Oct 29: The Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Govt. of Karnataka, Dr. Mahesh Babu, felicitated 19-year-old Sohursh Shankar, a former student of PHYSIS by TALC-The Alternative Learning Community, for winning a gold medal at the 2026 Amateur World Powerlifting Congress World Championships held in Manchester, UK, here today. Organised by PHYSIS, the felicitation celebrated Sohursh's international achievement while highlighting the need to redefine inclusion by creating environments that recognise the individual needs, abilities and aspirations of children with special needs.

Sohursh, an athlete with Down syndrome, won gold in the 75 kg Junior Special Olympics Classic Raw category with a combined lift of 242.5 kg, comprising a 90 kg squat, 50 kg bench press and 102.5 kg deadlift. The championship, held in September, brought together participants from 15 countries. His achievement reflects years of perseverance, dedicated training and the collective support of his parents, coach, sponsors, school and the wider community.

Also present on the occasion, were special guests, Ms. Yamuna D, Assistant Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Karnataka and Dr. Malathi Krishnamurthy Holla, Padmashree and Arjuna awardee.

While felicitating Sohursh, Dr. Mahesh Babu, said,

“Discrimination should never deny anyone the right to live with dignity, equality and purpose. Every individual deserves the opportunity to be an integral part of society. While nurturing a child is a responsibility, empowering children with special needs to find their voice, unlock their potential and claim their rightful place in the world is an extraordinary act of love, courage and humanity. Behind every such child is often a mother whose strength inspires us all. As a society, we must move beyond sympathy to inclusion, understanding and action because every life matters, every voice deserves to be heard, and everyone has the right to belong.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Malathi Holla, said,

“Disability does not define a person; talent, determination and opportunity do. Every individual, irrespective of physical challenges, has the potential to achieve greatness when given the right encouragement, support and platform. Instead of offering sympathy, let us recognise their abilities, nurture their talents and create opportunities for them to excel. Behind every champion is not just hard work and perseverance, but also the support of parents, society, the media and the government, who believe in their potential.”

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Latha Gangadharan, Founder, PHYSIS by TALC, said,

"We need to redefine what inclusion means. Inclusion is not about making a child fit into an existing environment. At PHYSIS, we believe every child deserves a fulfilling childhood with opportunities for academics, sports, friendships and social experiences. Sohursh's achievement is a wonderful occasion for celebration and our larger message is that every child deserves acceptance and the freedom to pursue their own goals. When parents and communities work together, children receive the support they need to develop their abilities and lead meaningful lives."

Redefining Inclusion Beyond Academic Achievement

PHYSIS believes that children with special needs should have access to the everyday experiences and opportunities that contribute to a fulfilling childhood. Rather than focusing exclusively on academics, the institution encourages participation in sports, creative activities, friendships, celebrations, overnight stays and other social experiences that promote overall development. The institution works with children from the age of three to approximately 20 years, supporting their academic, physical, emotional and social development.

The institution follows TALC's Transformative Education Model which adopts a body-mind-intellect approach to learning. Physical activities, including sports, gymnastics, dance, unstructured play and occupational therapy, help children develop physical awareness and regulation. Creative pursuits such as art and pottery, along with emotional learning sessions, support their mental and emotional well-being. Academics are integrated through the National Institute of Open Schooling, enabling students to complete their Class X and XII examinations.

From Early Challenges to International Sporting Success

Born with low muscle tone, Sohursh experienced delays in several developmental milestones, including walking and speech.

Years of early intervention, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and consistent family support helped him progressively overcome these challenges. Coming from a family with a strong sporting background, where fitness and physical activity have always been a way of life, Sohursh developed a keen interest in sports. His passion for tennis eventually led him to powerlifting, where he progressed from becoming a Karnataka champion to winning gold for India on the international stage.

His parents, Anitha and Uday Shankar, have encouraged him to pursue sports alongside education and other interests. At PHYSIS, Sohursh found a child-centred learning environment that provided opportunities to participate in sports, trekking, dance, meditation, social outings and overnight stays, while developing meaningful friendships. He also successfully completed his Class XII examinations through NIOS earlier this year.

Sharing her experience, Anitha Shankar, Sohursh's mother, said,

"Sports and fitness have always been an integral part of our family's lifestyle, so we naturally encouraged Sohursh to be physically active. His interest in tennis eventually led him to powerlifting. From being a child with low muscle tone and delayed developmental milestones to lifting 242.5 kg at a world championship, his journey has involved years of perseverance, training and support. PHYSIS played an important role in his growing years by providing an inclusive, child-centred environment where he could learn, participate in sports, build friendships and enjoy experiences that every child deserves. Completing Class XII through NIOS was another important milestone for him. We never set out with the sole ambition of winning medals. Our focus has always been on helping Sohursh lead a happy, active and fulfilling life. His gold medal is a proud moment for our family and we hope his journey encourages other parents to explore more possibilities for their children."

Ms. Anitha also emphasised the importance of creating more opportunities for young people with special needs beyond school. While Sohursh continues to pursue tennis and powerlifting, the family is exploring higher education and vocational opportunities to help him develop greater independence and prepare for adulthood.

Through the felicitation, PHYSIS seeks to encourage a wider conversation about the responsibility of families and communities in creating meaningful opportunities for children with special needs. Sohursh's success is a moment of pride for everyone involved in his journey and it also reinforces a larger message: inclusion is not defined by exceptional achievements alone. Every child deserves dignity, acceptance, companionship and the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life.
Warm Regards,