Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Mar 9: Gururaj Poojary from Jeddu in Chittur gram panchayat in the taluk has won two gold medals by representing India at the international level. He has deservedly bagged the Ekalavya award being given by the department of youth empowerment and spots, for the year 2016.
Gururaj is the pride of India now. He had won gold medals in the international weight lifting event during the South Asian Games held in 2016.
Gururaj, son of Mahabala Poojary and Paddu Poojary couple living at Jeddu village, is currently serving Indian Air Force. He laid added emphasis in honing his skill in weightlifting. By lifting total weight of 241 kg in the 56 kg section for men in Asian Games, he got gold medal. In the South Asian Games, he got another gold medal in international weightlifting.
Gururaj had won gold medal in the Commonwealth weight lifting championship organized at Malaysia. He has won two gold medals at international level and six in the national level.
Gurural has made it a habit to win awards in each of the competitions he enters in. In the international weight lifting competition held at Jaipur, Rajasthan in 2015, he bagged silver medal. He got gold in the national university level weightlifting held n 2015 at Punjab, gold medal in national university level weightlifting held in Tamil Nadu in 2014, and gold medal in the state level senior weightlifting at Mangaluru university level. In 2014, he participated in the national level weightlifting competition at Nagpur and bagged the title of being the best weightlifter thrice and four times recognized as university level best weightlifter.
Gururaj's father, Mahabala Poojary, is an auto rickshaw driver by profession. He provided good education to his children. Gururaj showed his interest in sports when studying in government higher primary school at Vandse. The then physical education teacher had encouraged him. His talent came into the open when studying in Mookambika high school, Kollur. The physical education teacher of the school, Sukesh Shetty, extended lot of encouragement to him. Gurural also got support for his interest in wrestling there. Later, he pursued graduation in SDM college Ujire where Rajendra Prasad trained him in weight lifting in tune with his interests. He got training in SDM sports training institute. He emerged as national champion twice when there. He will be leaving for participating in Commonwealth Games being held in Australia next week.
Daijiworld wishes Gururaj every success.