In a proud moment for the Karnataka Police, Shrishail K Byakod, the dedicated circle inspector of Mudalagi in Belagavi district, has been selected to receive the prestigious President's Medal-2026. This high honour is awarded in recognition of his exemplary service and outstanding professional achievements in the police force.
A Distinguished Career Marked by Multiple Accolades
This latest accolade adds to an already impressive collection of awards for Inspector Byakod. Earlier in his career, he was honoured with the Chief Minister's Medal for excellent service in 2019. More recently, in 2025, he received the Union Home Minister's Dakshata Medal for his outstanding investigation skills. The President's Medal-2026 thus represents a significant milestone, crowning a distinguished and decorated career in law enforcement.
Beyond Duty: The Ironman Achievement
Shrishail Byakod's accomplishments extend far beyond his police duties. He holds the unique distinction of being the first Indian police officer to complete a full Ironman triathlon outside the country. His journey into endurance sports began in 2020. He first tested his limits by completing a Half Ironman event in Kolhapur in October 2022.
Since the full Ironman event is not conducted in India, Byakod set his sights internationally. In July 2023, he travelled to Kazakhstan to participate in the gruelling international Ironman challenge. There, he successfully completed the extreme physical test, which consists of a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km cycling segment, and a full 42.2 km marathon run. He accomplished this incredible feat in an impressive time of 14 hours, showcasing extraordinary determination and fitness.
A Steadfast Service Record Across Karnataka
Inspector Byakod's police service is marked by dedication across various postings in Karnataka. He began his career serving as a police sub-inspector in several stations, including Hubballi, Gokak Town, Kulagod, Harugeri, and Mudhol. His consistent performance led to a well-deserved promotion to the rank of police inspector in 2019.
Following his promotion, he took on significant responsibilities, serving as the inspector of the Dharwad internal security division and later at the Ghataprabha police station. His commitment to duty and leadership qualities have been evident throughout his postings. He is currently serving with distinction as the circle inspector of Mudalagi, where his selection for the President's Medal brings great pride to the local community and the entire state police force.
