| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Dandamudi Rajagopal Rao | ||||||||||||||
Nickname(s) | Mr. Asia, Andhra Bhima, Andhra Hercules, Indian Tarzan, Giant of India | ||||||||||||||
| National team |  India | ||||||||||||||
| Born | (1916-10-16)16 October 1916 | ||||||||||||||
| Died | 6 August 1981(1981-08-06) (aged 64) | ||||||||||||||
Spouse | Dandamudi Anasuya | ||||||||||||||
| Children | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||
| Country | India | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | Weightlifting | ||||||||||||||
| Weight class | Men's heavyweight | ||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Sistla Somayajulu | ||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||
| Olympic finals | 1948,1952,1956 | ||||||||||||||
| Regional finals | 1951 Asian Games | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||
Dandamudi Rajagopal Rao (16 October 1916 - 6 August 1981) was an Indian weightlifter, bodybuilder, actor, sports administrator and coach.[1] He won a bronze medal in the1951 Asian Games in men's heavyweight (+90 kg) weightlifting.
In 1946, he won 1st place in weightlifting at the XII Olympic Sports Event of India held in Bangalore, for the heavyweight class. He annexed Kerala title in 1942 and the Bombay provincial honours in 1944 breaking all the previous records. He represented India in International competitions held inBurma in 1947. He won gold medal in Indian Olympic Sports Event held at Delhi in 1952. He lifted 780 pounds in the Heavyweight Category. In 1954 Indian Olympic Sports Event he won Gold medal again and established three records.
He was the 1st Indian Weightlifting Champion and held the title continuously for 13 years from 1945 to 1958. He won Mr. Asia title in 1948 at Calcutta at the Asian bodybuilding competition.
He won a bronze medal in1951 Asian Games in men's heavyweight (+90 kg) weightlifting which remains one of the best performances by an Indian weightlifter considering the strong field of countries participating.
He represented India thrice at theOlympics, in1948 (finishing16th),1952 (finishing6th) and1956 (finishing9th).[2]
He was the founder and first President of Andhra Olympic Association. He was the captain of Andhra Olympic team. He helped found several other sports associations in Andhra Pradesh.
Kamineni Eswara Rao was trained by Dandamudi in weightlifting. He established free gymnasia named Dandamudi Rajagopal Institutes, at locations across Krishna district to coach youngsters.
Dandamudi was the first Indian to receive title of Mr. Asia. He was conferred with other titles such as Andhra Bhima, Andhra Hercules, Indian Tarzan and Giant of India. His feats attracted people from all over the country. One of his notable, dangerous and jaw dropping feats of strength which drew huge crowds were displays where he would break iron chains around his body by taking a deep breath and flexing his muscles.
Dandamudi has acted in several films. The most notable performance was inNartanasala (1963), wherein he portrayed the role ofBhima.[3] He also acted inBhimanjaneya Yuddham andVeeraabhimanyu. In his short stint in the silver screen, Dandamudi acted alongside stalwarts likeN. T. Rama Rao,Savitri,Shoban Babu,S. V. Ranga Rao,Kanta Rao,Mukkamala andMikkilineni.
He was born on 16 October 1916 in Gandigunta village,Krishna district to a family of farmers. Impressed by the legendary bodybuilderKodi Rammurthy Naidu, he took up the sport of weightlifting. He was trained by Sistla Somayajulu in weightlifting for some time. Later he traveled with Kolli Rangadasu and gave many performances in different Indian states and countries.
Rajagopal was married to Anasuya. The couple had 5 children - Jhansi Lakshmibai, Purnachandra Rao, Shyamasundara Rao, Basavaraja Rao and Vijayalakshmi.
He died on 6 August 1981. An indoor stadium, Dandamudi Rajagopal Rao Indoor Stadium, was donated by and named after him at Benz Circle,Vijayawada. The stadium was inaugurated by then Chief Minister of Andhra PradeshTanguturi Anjaiah.
