'Winning medal akin to ruling over England'

Paralympic silver medallist Girisha recalls the moment

England may have ruled India in the past, but a proud Indian has the satisfaction of ruling that country for a moment.

Paralympian H N Girisha who won silver medal in high jump at London paralympics in 2012 was on cloud nine after the feat. “When the audience in the stadium gave me a standing ovation, for a while, I had the satisfaction of ruling the nation that had colonised India for over two centuries,” recalled Girish in response to the rousing welcome he got from budding athletes at the opening of university level inter-collegiate men’s sports meet organised by the University of Mysore, at Platinum Jubilee Stadium here.

Girisha a native of Hassan district walked down memory lane recalling his nascent days as a sportsman.

 “When i wanted to make a career in sports, I had to find a perfect platform for practice, and that was how I landed at the doorstep of Krishna, the director of physical education of University of Mysore,” he said.

Joy knew no bounds for him when he won medals at the university level sports meets. That was how he could hone his skills as a high jumper, he said.

Girisha also owed his success to the University of Mysore.

He called upon the budding sports persons to work hard and bring laurels to the university by winning medals.