It didn’t take long, a silver, then a gold, then two more medals, and a medal run in its own right, as the Indian contingent crossed the 50-medal mark at the Special Olympics World Games 2023. Wednesday in Berlin. At the end of the day’s action, Special Olympics India had 55 medals (15 gold, 27 silver, 13 bronze) in five different sports namely athletics, cycling, powerlifting, roller skating and swimming. The highlights of Wednesday’s medal haul came from the swimming and cycling courses, with India registering five medals (3 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze) in the pool and six (3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) in the cycling course.
The cycling competition at the World Games is arguably the most aesthetically pleasing, as it is situated next to the Brandenburg Gate – a landmark not only for Berlin and Germany, but for Europe as a whole. Built by the Kingdom of Prussia, having withstood both world wars and then the division of the city, this gate has survived and seen a lot of history. On Wednesday, India used the venue to mark a piece of history for itself, with every member of the cycling team returning home with a medal.
Medal haul for Harish Venkatesh, shines with 3 gold and 1 silver in 83kg event! ,#specialolympics #sobharat #powerlifter #SpecialOlympicsIndia #inclusion matters #inclusionrevolution #roadtoberlin #berlin2023 #cheer4india #proud moment#India #India pic.twitter.com/UUYEMY3QCuSpecial Olympics India (@SOlympicsIndia) 22 June 2023
Neil Yadav was the first to do so, his bronze in the 5km road race coming at the end of a period when most of his teammates missed out on medals by a close margin. Yadav’s medal gave the group confidence, and after the lunch break, everyone was re-energized and fully geared up to make the most of the afternoon time trial. Shivani, Neel Yadav and Indu Prakash won gold medals in 1 km time trial, while Kalpana Jena and Jayseela Arbutharaj won silver medals.
In pool, India’s medal tally almost doubled as freestyle swimmers Diksha Jitendra Shirgaonkar, Pooja Giridharrao Gaikwada and Prasadhi Kamble won gold, Madhav Madan added another medal to his tally (gold, 25m freestyle) and Siddhant Murali Kumar won a bronze medal in the 25m freestyle.
However, the SO World Games isn’t always about the medal or its color, and so it was clear that perhaps the most heartwarming stories would come from the heart that went into it, not just the performance.
Sonipat’s Saket Kundu won the silver medal in Mini Javelin Level B and in doing so, he overcame a long-standing grudge and fulfilled a wish that had led him to request various disciples to represent India on the world stage. Had to pass
_Silver-ware for our Mini Javelin Super Star as Ravimathi secures a medal in Mini Javelin Level C!#Special Olympics #sobharat #athletics #spear #minijavelin #athleticstriumph #womensports #womeninsport #Woman power #SpecialOlympicsIndia pic.twitter.com/EuARO9THs0– Special Olympics India (@SOlympicsBharat) 22 June 2023
The Little Angels School student is a multi-sport athlete, having competed at the national level in table tennis, figure skating and athletics. Among the 2023 Special Olympics World Winter Games probables, Kundu lost the chance to represent India when the Games were cancelled.
Venting his frustration he took up mini javelin in athletics, an event which made its debut at the World Games in Berlin and was selected after a tough camp. It was not just like that. His medal was the first medal won by India in this event, which was a piece of history in itself.
The Indian contingent will take part in a host of sports in Berlin on Thursday, competing in the finals of several events in athletics, golf and cycling.