His daily diet includes a dozen boiled eggs, one litre milk, chicken, mutton and fruits. Rigorous practice sessions complete the routine.

Meet Balindar Singh, the 29-year-old powerlifter who is set to take the stage at the 41st Senior National Powerlifting and Benchpress Championship, underway at The Milanee auditorium in Bistupur, on Friday. Singh will compete in 105kg category.

"Well, this time I'm confident of breaking my own national record of 979.5kg (squat 415kg, bench press 237.5kg, deadlift 327kg) at the Inter- Railway Powerlifting Meet in Alleppey, Kerala, last month. I am targeting the 1,000kg mark here," Balindar said.

The Haryana lifter came to limelight after breaking the national record of 965kg of railwayman Gurdeep Singh at the 2011 Senior National Championship in Calicut.

Standing tall at 5 feet 6 inches and weighing 104kg, Balinder feels powerlifting is all about discipline and simple lifestyle. "I prefer keeping to myself and follow a strict regimen. I take a dozen boiled eggs, one litre milk, bread and fruits for breakfast while my lunch comprises six chapattis, pulses and vegetables in addition to chicken and mutton on alternate days. Four chapattis, curd, pulses and vegetables are dinner. Post-dinner, I drink a litre of milk every day."

Ranked one in the country in 105kg weight section, Balindar trains under personal coach Naresh Saini.

"I travel 200km by train daily from Panipat to Ambala Cantonment. But I seldom miss my workouts," he said.

On his fourth visit, Balinder feels grateful to receive the warmth. "I always look forward to visiting this city."