Weightlifter K. Ravi Kumar from Berhampur selected for Arjuna Award

Inhabitants of the Silk city, especially sports enthusiasts, held a joyous celebration on hearing the news of city weightlifter K. Ravi Kumar being selected for the Arjuna Award. Ravi Kumar became the seventh Oriya to get the coveted Arjuna Award. He also happens to be the second sportsperson from the city to get it. Both times the weightlifters have been the award winners. In 1982 Bijay Kumar Satpathy of Berhampur had been selected for Arjuna Award. He had won silver medal in the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Ravi Kumar's selection again proved that Berhampur is the cradle of weightlifting in Orissa, said veteran weightlifter and coach Ramesh Kumar Padhi, who had played a major role in grooming the young international weightlifter.

Ravi Kumar had shot into fame when he broke a record to bag the gold medal in the New Delhi Commonwealth games. He has already been honoured with Ekalavya award. When news of Ravi Kumar getting selected for Arjuna Award spread, the happiest persons were the members and patrons of Veer Hanuman Circus and Physical Institute (VHCPI), a private institution of the city which is continuing to produce national and international weightlifters for the past seven decades.

Source: The Hindu