At the National Powerlifting Championship held in Tiruchirapally, Tamil Nadu from May 12 to 14, 2023, Yazad Chinoy of Valsad won the bronze medal in the men’s seniors +120 kg category. The news of his victory was communicated to him a fortnight later by the Powerlifting Association of Gujarat. "He not only makes his state proud but makes Valsad city and his community proud,” wrote Yazdi Laher, secretary of the Bulsar Parsi Anjuman Trust, when sharing the news with Parsiana.
Above and inset: Yazad Chinoy wins medal in powerlifting
To qualify for the nationals, the 26-year-old powerlifter had to participate in the district and state level tournaments. "I won the state championship held in January 2023,” Chinoy informed Parsiana. He had three months to prepare for the national tournament. He is relatively new to this sport, pursuing powerlifting only since the last nine months, he revealed. He drew his inspiration from Maherzad Patel, also from Valsad, who had won the gold for India for two consecutive years in the 110 kg category at the competitions in 2018 and 2019 conducted by the World Equipped Powerlifting Federation (equipped powerlifting permits the use of additional gear not approved in raw powerlifting to protect the body and aid in lifting more weight).
Powerlifting is not a full-time career for Chinoy currently. "It’s just a sport which I love to play in my free time,” stated Chinoy who has to personally bear the expenses for training and competing in tournaments. Earlier he was the state champion in rifle shooting (where the accuracy, control and speed of the shooter is judged when aiming at targets with a pistol) and trap shooting (shooting at clay pigeons released from a spring trap) but lack of facilities and equipment compelled him to give up the sport. His interest in shooting had first started at the Saraswati International School where he excelled in air rifle shooting as also in shot put and was on the School football and judo teams. Later at the Shah N. H. Commerce College too he represented the College in shooting and tug of war and represented the state of Gujarat at national events in shooting and martial arts.
After his graduation in commerce he has been assisting his father Jahabax who runs a business, Yazad Agency that provides security to companies. Viewing Zoroastrian rituals as "the most important part of my life every day,” Yazad mentioned, "Whenever I step into the arena, the first thing I do is pray to Ahura Mazda and then start my warm-ups.”