Palakkad: A Jayasree, principal-in-charge of Kumarapuram GHSS in Palakkad, has found a new lease of energy at the age of 55 after taking up weightlifting to recover from injuries sustained in a road accident seven years ago. Her enthusiasm grew further when her husband, retired Air Force officer C Unnikrishnan, joined her at the gym.

Jayasree began attending the new gymnasium on an experimental basis in May, following her son C Ashwin’s advice. The gym is run by Ashwin’s classmate, PC Sathyan and his brother, PC Sarathkumar. Initially, her goal was to relieve body aches, including knee pain, and to lose weight.

When the District Powerlifting Championship approached, her coach, Sathyan, encouraged her to participate. Jayasree, initially hesitant, agreed and went on to win first place in the Masters-2 event, 69 kg category. She lifted a total of 141 kg, including 57 kg in the squat, 27 kg in the bench press, and 57 kg in the deadlift.

She now exercises alongside her husband for an hour each evening from 7 pm. Jayasree has been a chemistry teacher for 21 years and has another son, C Akshay.