Sports Minister felicitates 3 Ironmen of Odisha for their exemplary achievements

Bhubaneswar: Three Ironman title holders of Odisha, who have conquered the challenging world of triathlon, namely Soubhagya Rath, Ranjan Kumar Sahoo and Bijaya Kumar Das were felicitated today by Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera.

Sports & Youth Services Department (DSYS) takes immense pride in honouring extraordinary athletes who have showcased unparalleled determination and resilience in sports, a source said.

Director Sports, Siddhartha Das, Joint Secretaries of DSYS, Sailendra Kumar Jena and Bijayanand Nayak along with coach Gopal Krishna Das were present on this occasion.

Soubhagya Kumar Rath achieved the Ironman title in 2019 and 2022 in Hamburg and Kazakhstan respectively and climbed Mount Elbrus recently in 2023. Bijaya Kumar Das achieved the Ironman title in 2022 and Ranjan Kumar Sahoo in 2023, both at Kazakhstan.

The Sports Minister lauded their commitment to sports and the dedication they have shown in preparing for this challenge. He expressed that an Ironman’s journey is an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the State, embodying the values of discipline, hard work, and a never-give-up attitude.

The Minister also emphasised Government’s dedication in promoting sports and recognising those who have excelled in their respective disciplines. He encouraged them to create awareness around the competition.

The three title holders expressed gratitude to the Department and the Minister for the recognition and thanked coach Gopal Krishna Sahu for his support and encouragement throughout their journey. They expressed hope that their achievement would inspire others to take up the Ironman triathlon and pursue their dreams relentlessly, regardless of the challenges they face.

Worth mentioning, an Ironman triathlon is a gruelling test of endurance, consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bike ride, and a 26.2-mile (42.20 km) marathon run, all to be completed in a sequence and within a set time frame.