Rajinder Singh Rahelu

Rajinder Singh Rahelu, born on 22 July 1973 in Mehsampur village, Jalandhar district, Punjab, is an Indian Paralympic powerlifter who contracted polio at eight months old. He won a bronze medal in the 56 kilogram category at the 2004 Summer Paralympics, represented India at the 2008 Games in Beijing, finishing fifth, and again at the 2012 Games in London, where he failed all three attempts at 175 kilograms. He is an Arjuna Award recipient. He took up powerlifting after encouragement from his friend Surinder Singh Rana, was coached by Captain Piara Singh in 1996, lifted 70 kilograms on his first bench press attempt and within six months could lift 115 kilograms.