Now Reading: Kalahandi shuttler Akash wins two golds at Turkey youth games
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Kalahandi shuttler Akash wins two golds at Turkey youth games
Kalahandi para-badminton player Akash Ranjan Mund returned from the World Ability Sport Youth Games in Mersin, Turkey, with two gold medals and a silver. The 21-year-old won men’s singles in the SL3…
The Story in Brief
Kalahandi para-badminton player Akash Ranjan Mund returned from the World Ability Sport Youth Games in Mersin, Turkey, with two gold medals and a silver. The 21-year-old won men’s singles in the SL3 category and mixed doubles in the SL3-SU5 category, while finishing runner-up in men’s doubles. The event was held from June 17 to 21.
Born with a locomotor disability and one functional leg, Akash trained through pain caused by a walking prosthetic. Odisha government support helped him receive a sports blade prosthetic in 2023, later backed by the state Sports and Youth Services department. He is now India’s youth world No 1 and aims to qualify for the Paralympics.
The Indian Opinion
The lazy story would cast Akash as either an inspirational exception or proof that support systems already work perfectly. Neither is fair. His medals reflect discipline, coaching and family backing, while the reported Rs 6 lakh to Rs 7 lakh cost of a sports prosthetic shows why public support matters. The harder test is sustained funding, injury care and access to training beyond one athlete. Can Odisha help produce a wider pipeline, not just celebrate its next champion?
Source: newindianexpress.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
