Athletes from the Mysore District Masters Athletics Association have returned home with a glittering haul of medals following their stellar performance at a major state-level competition. The team's remarkable achievement sets the stage for their next challenge at the national level.
Dominant Display at the State Masters Meet
The contingent participated in the recent 44th State Masters Athletic Meet held in Kolar. In a show of sheer dominance across age groups, the district's masters athletes secured an impressive total of 60 medals. This collection included 25 gold, 22 silver, and 13 bronze medals, underscoring their all-round excellence.
Men's Team Leads with Power and Speed
The men's squad, comprising 23 athletes including Rajyotsava awardee M Yogendra, bagged 29 medals. They won 13 gold, 11 silver, and 5 bronze. Standout performances illuminated the event. CB Cheluvegowda, competing in the 75-plus age category, displayed phenomenal strength by winning three gold medals in shot put, discus throw, and hammer throw. In the 65-plus category, Somashekar BK proved his speed by securing gold in both the 100-metre and 200-metre sprint events.
Women's Team Matches the Excellence
Not to be outdone, the 18-member women's team delivered an equally powerful performance, accumulating 31 medals. Their tally featured 12 gold, 11 silver, and 8 bronze. In the 45-plus age group, Rekha V shone with two gold medals in shot put and hammer throw. Demonstrating incredible longevity and skill, Bharathi HM in the 75-plus category secured two golds in shot put and discus throw, adding a silver in hammer throw to her collection.
Road to the National Masters Championship
B Basavaraju, the secretary of the Mysore District Masters Athletics Association, confirmed that the victorious athletes will now represent the state at a higher platform. They are set to compete in the National Masters Athletic Meet, which is scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram from January 28 to February 1. This opportunity allows them to showcase their talent against the best veteran athletes from across India.
Local Para-Athlete Wins International Silver
In a parallel story of sporting triumph, 18-year-old B Bharathi from Mysuru has made the city proud on an international stage. Representing India at the Para Junior Asian Games in Dubai, held from December 7 to 14, Bharathi clinched a silver medal in the long jump event. She also competed in the 100-metre sprint and shot put during the prestigious meet.
Bharathi, who is affected by cerebral palsy, has shown extraordinary determination. Her journey to the international podium began with a stellar show at the Para Junior National Games in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. There, she won a gold medal in shot put and the 100-metre sprint, along with a silver in long jump, which earned her a spot on the national team.
Currently a BCom student at GSSS Degree College in Mysuru, Bharathi comes from a family with a sporting background. Her parents, Bharath and Usha, have supported her athletic pursuits. She initially trained at Mysuru's Chamundi Vihar Stadium under coach Sagar and is now receiving advanced training in Bengaluru under the guidance of coaches Roshan and Vikram.
The successes of both the seasoned masters and the young para-athlete highlight Mysuru's growing reputation as a nurturing ground for dedicated and resilient sporting talent, achieving excellence across generations and disciplines.
