Odisha Gymnasts Jagadish Barik, Biswajit Behera Aim For Podium At Khelo India Youth Games

Guwahati: Odisha’s 16-year-old gymnasts, Jagadish Barik and Biswajit Behera, are hoping they can deliver quality performance in the Khelo India Youth Games 2020 at the Bhogeshwari Phukanani Indoor Stadium in Dispur. The very fact that they did not let their training facilities that were affected by cyclone Fani last year, become an impediment to their training, shows the steely resolve of the youngsters.

Waiting for their turn to showcase their talent in a packed stadium as the boys under-17 all-round competition got going on Thursday, the students of Radhaballav Mahavidyalaya wore a focused and determined look. 

“The turning point for me was Fani, which caused so much destruction in our state and especially in Puri, where our training facilities were damaged. I was unable to train for some time. I want to repay my family and my state  by winning a medal,” Jagadish Barik said.

“I took up the sport in 2016 after the Rio Olympic Games where Dipa Karmakar had done so well. I have trained under two brilliant coaches so far. Pradeep Sahoo sir taught me the basics, and after that, I made it to the Khelo India camp in Kolkata last year, where I trained under Ashok Kumar Mishra sir, who is currently the chief coach in Sports Authority of India,” he said.

Biswajit Behera said preparing for Khelo India Youth Games was a difficult phase for the duo. “Fani caused a lot of damage, and not all equipment can be used right now. I am confident we can perform well here and make use of the facilities being provided to us by the Sports Authority of India.”

Their first coach Pradeep Sahoo, a KIYG Technical Official, said the youngsters have the potential to represent India at the highest level. “Both Jagadish and Biswajit have done extremely well with limited resources, but their persistent efforts have resulted in them making it to the Khelo India Youth Games,” he said.