PJ youth aims for UK next after winning title, two gold medals in China
At just 18, Eshwar Evan Dmitry Klokol is very passionate about powerlifting.
The young athlete has emerged champion in the five powerlifting competitions he has entered so far.
His latest win was at the 2026 Asian Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships in Hainan, China, in May, where he won two gold medals and the overall men’s Classic 93kg Sub-Junior title.
“My ultimate dream is to compete at the Sheffield Powerlifting Championships in the UK, which brings together some of the world’s strongest powerlifters,” said Eshwar who is of mixed Indian and Ukrainian parentage.
Eshwar’s journey began when he was just 13, lifting weights under the guidance of his father.
Watching a mutual friend at a competition further drove his interest in the field.
Encouraged by his parents and aunts, he found a local coach who helped prepare him for his first competition.
His competitive debut was at the Johor Powerlifting Open Vol. II in 2024, held at Komtar JBCC in Johor Baru.
“I was the overall champion and that really boosted my confidence,” he said.
Eshwar said prior to structured training, he could lift about 140kg.
With dedicated training, he improved that to 202.5kg in January 2025.
Today, his best combined total for the three powerlifting disciplines – squat, bench press and deadlift (SBD) – stands at 682.5kg.
His personal best deadlift is 290kg.
At the Asian Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships in Hainan, his SBD total was 672.5kg, including a 290kg deadlift.
His victory in China saw him beat Russia’s Aleksei Terin (667.5kg) and Singapore’s Aiden Choy (662.5kg) to claim the overall title, while his 290kg deadlift was the heaviest lift across the Junior division.
For Eshwar, powerlifting is not just about strength.
He believes the sport has helped him develop a healthy and disciplined lifestyle.
“People have cheekily asked me if I take drugs to be able to lift so much, but I tell them it is only possible through training.
“We are also tested for drugs at competitions.”
Pursuing the sport at a competitive level comes at a considerable financial cost for Eshwar and his family.
“From the diet to the gym and training costs, everything is expensive.
“My family spends close to RM3,500 a month on the sport alone,” he said.
He received a 25% tuition fee discount as a state athlete during his foundation studies at the Asia Pacific University.
The support continues for his Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering.
Eshwar, who currently does not have any sponsors, hoped that greater recognition of the sport would open doors for sponsorship opportunities to compete in bigger competitions.
Besides his parents Dr Dmytro Klokol and Dr Bawani Nesamany, and two siblings, Eshwar counts his three maternal aunts and grandparents among his biggest cheerleaders.
His aunts – Parimala, Theenmolzi and Sundari Subasini – helped raise him and his siblings in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, while his parents served in the medical sector outstation.
“When I returned from Hainan, my family brought banners to greet me at the airport.
“They are always telling people about my accomplishments and supporting me in my journey.
“I hope to make them proud and reach greater heights,” he said.
