Arjuna Award winners from Odisha
K Ravi Kumar who won 3 gold medals in last year commonwealth games held at New Delhi, nominated for Arjuna Award 2011. He is the seventh athlete of Odisha to receive the same and second weightlifter of Odisha also. Bijaya Kumar Satapathy is the first weightlifter to receive Arjuna Award in the year 1982. Both Bijaya and Ravi kumar hails from Berhampur, Odisha. This article is absolutely about the Arjuna Awardees of Odisha.
What is Arjuna Award?
Arjuna Award first instituted by government of India in the year 1961. It aims to recognize national sports and athletes. Awardees are being praised with a cash prize of 5 lac rupees, a bronze statuette of Arjuna of Mahabharata with Bow and arrow, and a scroll. Nowadays, this award is giving to every sector in athletes. Even handicapped are being awarded for their athletic talents. However, the pupils must perform outstandingly 3 consecutive years, as well as for the year which nominated for. Arjuna Award winner K. Ravi Kumar
Born and brought up at Berhampur, Odisha, K Ravi Kumar belongs to a small ordinary family. Seven year before, he used to practice body building in a club. However, after his trainer Narayan Sahu's counsel he changed his diversion towards weightlifting, which at last caused him to an outstanding performer. 
K Ravi Kumar won many state, national, and international awards in his short life time. He won 3 gold medals in 2009 Commonwealth Game held at Penang, Malaysia. Then in 2010, he won 3 gold medals in New Delhi Commonwealth games. He lifted 147kg in snatches, 175 kg in clean and jerk and a total 321 kg in weightlifting. In year 2011, he won 3 bronze medals in senior weightlifting championship at Tongling, China. He also won 3 gold medals in senior weightlifting championship held at Bangalore. K Ravi Kumar now works with Indian Army. Arjuna Award winner Padmashree Dillip Tirky
Arjuna award winner Padmashree Dillip Tirkey is an expert hockey player of India. He is famous for penalty corner hit in hockey. His position at field is full-back, where opposition players could not make forwards the ball to goal post. He was the captain for India Hockey team.
Born on 25th November 1977, Dillip Tirkey is now working for Air India Bhubaneswar as a Deputy Manger since 1996. His father Vincent Tirkey was also an Indian hockey player. His twin brothers Anup and Ajit were playing for Railways Hockey Team.
Dillip started his international career in 1995 against England. He led for Indian Hockey team in 1996 Atlanta Olympic, 2000 Sydney Olympic and 2004 Athens Olympic. He is the only tribal from Odisha to lead in a three Olympiad games. He retired from International games on 2nd May 2010. After that, Indian Hockey Federation offered him to be a member of National Selection Committee; but just after three days on 16 July 2010 he quit the offer.
Dillip Tirky won Arjuna award in year 2002; Ekalabya Award in 1996; ONGC Hockey Year Book Award in 1996; Biju Pattnaik Sports Persons of the year in 2004; Ricko Hockey Man of the year in 2009; and Padmashree Award in 2004. He was also another exceptional-record for India with highest, 412 International game player and second with this position in the International level.Arjuna Award winner Jyoti Sunita Kullu
Born on 10 September 1978, Jyoti Sunita Kullu is also an International Hockey player from Sundergarh. She was first selected for Indira Gandhi Women Hockey Tournament, 1996. She highest scored in 2002 Champions Challenge held at Johannesburg, South Africa. She hit five goals in six matches. In the same year, she won gold medal in Commonwealth games held at England. Now she works for Indian Rail Coach Factory at Kapurtala. She married to a Hockey player Albert Tete. Arjuna Award winner Ignace Tirkey
2009 Arjuna Award winner Ignace Tirkey is a native of Sundergarh. Born on 10 May 1981, Ignace is also a member of Indian Hockey team. He is a mid-fielder; also captain for Indian Hockey team. He learned from Panposh Sports Hostel, Rourkela. Where, he selected for Indian Army. On February 2001, he first selected in International team to play against Belgium, held at Bangalore. 
Ignace also participated in 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He created a history there by making a goal with a hit between two legs of Pakistan AC striver Sohail Abbass. Ignace is the first Indian to make win Asian Cup for India. Last year in 2010, he was been awarded with "Padmashree" award. Now, after a long two years of tenure, Ignace was again selected for Asian Champions Trophy going to be held on September 3 to 11, 2011 at Ordos, China. Arjuna Award winner Rachita Mistri Panda
Sprint athlete Rachita Panda born on 4 March 1974 at Rourkela. After getting married she used to stay at Maharashtra and changed her surname from Panda to Mistri. Due to her special contribution on athlete, she was awarded with Arjuna Award in year 1998. She beat P.T. Usha's record in year 2000 July 31. She participated in 2000 Sidney Olympics and rewarded in 100 mts race. Her outstanding performance in 100 mts was 11.26 secs; at Bangalore in the year 2001. Until that P. T. Usha was the fastest 100 mts runner in India.Arjuna Award winner Minati Mohapatra
1980 Arjuna award winner Minati Mohapatra is now working at Rourkela Steel Plant as a Senior Management Staff. She is the first Odia women to get Arjuna Award. At the age of 15, she has performed well in athletes and cycling. However she attracted and choose cycling, after achieving best in university and state level competitions. She won gold medal in 1970 National Games.
