Ranchi: Jharkhand’s para-athletes shone at 14th Junior/Sub Junior Para-Athletic Championship by winning 13 medals at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Divyang Sports Training Centre in Gwalior. The team’s inspiring performance at the on Aug 30-31 meet showcased the growing pool of talent among para-athletes in the state.In shot put, Rohan Ravidas clinched gold, while Abhinav Utkarsh from Jamshedpur struck gold in discus throw. Both athletes’ victories were cheered as landmark achievements for Jharkhand.“Winning gold means a lot to me. Despite being visually impaired, I never saw my disability as a limitation. I dedicate this medal to my parents who always stood by me,” said Abhinav, whose father works as a ticket collector in the railways. Rohan, who hails from Kotwalwari in Seraikela-Kharsawan, said, “Our family struggles financially since my father is a private driver. This gold medal is proof that even children from modest backgrounds can bring glory if given the right support,” he said. Adding to the medal tally, Suriyansh Bilhaur secured two silver medals in shot put and discus throw.Among the bronze winners were Arun Kumar Mahato (100m, 200m, 300m runs), Rajnandini (long jump), Ria Kumari (100m), Rustam Tirki (javelin), Rohan Ravidas (javelin), Bhushan Gop (javelin), and Aniket Kachhap (discus throw). Notably, Mahato alone clinched three bronze medals, earning applause for his resilience and consistency.State paralympic body officials praised the performance, saying it would inspire many more differently-abled youth to pursue sports. “This achievement is not just about medals, it’s about breaking barriers and showing that para-athletes can script their own destiny,” said Jata Shankar Chowdhury, president of the Paralympic Committee of Jharkhand.
