BHUBANESWAR 30-Jul-2015
Odisha boy Rajesh Meher made India proud by bagging one gold and one bronze medals in the World Games of Special Olympics, being held at Los Angeles, USA today. He secured the gold in 200 metre sprint (Division 28), clocking 31.03 seconds and the bronze in 400 metre race (Division 26) with a timing of 1:11.18 seconds.
According to Prakash K Rath, Area Director of Special Olympics, 13-year-old Rajesh, who hails from Jamla village of Bargarh district, has brightended his chances of winning another medal by reaching the final in 4x100 metre relay (Division 12).
Only son of Ramesh and Binodini Meher, Rajesh, has showed tremendous potential despite taking to athletics only three years ago. Guided by his coach Meghanad Sahoo, he won the 100 meter gold in the National championship of Special Olympics at Delhi two years ago.
A pre-vocational student of Bargarh-based M R School, Rajesh was selected for the World Games following his impressive performance in national camps at Hyderabad, Bareli, Rohtak and Chennai.
``I was confident of Rajesh winning a medal in the World Games. But he has exceeded my imagination by bagging two medals including one gold. He has made the country proud,`` said Sahoo, who also the headmaster of M R School.
Bhubaneswar girl Sarita Routray, also represented India in cycling event of the Special Olympics. The two Odisha sportspersons were accompanied to Los Angeles by Arpita Mohapatra, who was the head coach of the Indian aquatics squad.
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PHOTO: Odisha trio (L to R) Arpita Mohapatra, Sarita Routray and Rajesh Mehera in Bhubaneswar on July 18, 2015.
