In a moment of immense pride for Odisha, a teenage weightlifter from a remote tribal village has been chosen for the nation's highest civilian honour for children. Jyoshna Sabar, a 17-year-old from the Marlaba panchayat in Gajapati district, has been selected for the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.
President to Honour Young Champion in Delhi
The award will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. Jyoshna, accompanied by her father Kirttan Sabar and uncle Madan Mohan, left for the national capital on Wednesday. Before her departure, she was felicitated by the Gajapati district administration at Paralakhemundi, where officials lauded her achievement.
"Not only Gajapati district, but the entire Odisha is proud of her achievement," stated Munindra Honnaga, the additional district magistrate (revenue). Arun Kumar Tripathy, the district child protection officer, emphasized that her selection recognises both her athletic prowess and her inspirational journey of overcoming social barriers from a remote village to excel on international platforms.
A Meteoric Rise in Weightlifting
Jyoshna's journey in weightlifting over the past six years is marked by a series of remarkable victories. A Plus II student at KISS-Bhubaneswar, her medal haul includes:
- A bronze medal at the Asian Youth Junior Weightlifting Championship in Albania in 2023.
- A gold medal at the Asian Junior Weightlifting Championship in New Delhi in 2024.
- A gold medal and a new record at the International Junior Weightlifting Championship in Peru in 2025, where she lifted the heaviest weight in her category.
Hailing from a farmer's family in the Rayagada block, her talent has been nurtured by coaches including K. Ravi Kumar, an Olympic gold medallist weightlifter, Jagyan, and M. Alkesh Barwa. Ravi Kumar praised her "exceptional technical proficiency, explosive power and unwavering mental resilience".
An Inspiration Beyond Sport
Jyoshna's story transcends sports. It is a narrative of determination from the tribal-dominated regions of Odisha, breaking through geographical and social constraints. Her success serves as a powerful beacon for aspiring athletes from similar backgrounds. She expressed gratitude to the government for selecting her for this honour, marking a significant milestone in a career that promises many more accolades for the state and the country.
As she prepares to receive the award from the President, Jyoshna Sabar stands not just as a champion weightlifter, but as a symbol of the potential that lies in India's rural heartland, waiting for the right opportunity and guidance to shine on the world stage.
