Dandamudii Rajagopal Rao

Dandamudi Rajagopal Rao was an Indian Film Actor, SportsAdminstrator, Asian Games Medallist, Olympic Weightlifter, Bodybuilder, and Coach. He was born on 16th October 1916 in Gandigunta village, Krishna district to a farmer’s family. Fascinated by the illustrious Indian bodybuilder Kodi Rammurthy Naidu, Dandamudi took up the sport of weightlifting and was trained by Sistla Somayajulu in weightlifting for some time after which he travelled with Kolli Rangadasu and performed in many Indian states and countries. He was married to Mrs Anasuya.

Dandamudi was awarded various titles: Mr Asia, Andhra Bhima, Andhra Hercules, Indian Tarzan and The Giant of India and a few more. Dandamudi's performances attracted people from all over the country and one of the remarkable yet dangerous feats of his strength drew a huge set of audience, especially in the main event where he broke iron chains around his body just by flexing his muscles and was amongst the 1st Indians who received Mr Asia's title. Dandamudi trained the Arjuna award winner Kamineni Eswararao in Weightlifting.

In 1946, won 1st place in the XII Olympic Sports Event of India for the Heavyweight class and also took over the Kerala title in 1942 and the Bombay provincial honours in 1944 breaking all the previous records. He also represented India in the International competitions, 1947 held in Burma. He won Gold medals in Indian Olympic Sports Event held in Delhi, in 1952 and in the 1954 Indian Olympic Sports Event establishing three records. Dandamudi has lifted 780 pounds in the Heavyweight category.

He was the 1st President of the Andhra Olympic Association. He was the captain of the Andhra Olympic team and the Founder of the Andhra Olympic Association in the upbringing of sports culture in the state and the country. Dandamudi was also into acting in several films. His most notable ones were in Narthanasala,1963, in which he played the role of Bheema. He also acted in Bhimanjaneya Yuddham, Veeraabhimanyu.

In his short span of acting in the film industry, Dandamudi acted alongside great stars like N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, Shoban Babu, S. V. Ranga Rao, and Kanta Rao Kanta Rao was born as Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao >> Read More... . He demised on August 6, 1981. Paying tribute to him an indoor stadium was built in his name for his enormous contribution located near Benz Circle, Vijaywada, It was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh of that time, Tanguturi Anjaiah Garu.