Udupi man wins silver medal, brings laurels to country

Gururaja Poojary, a sportsperson from Udupi disrict, has brought laurels to the country by winning a silver medal in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, Australia.

When the entire country fast asleep, Gururaja Poojary, the 25-year-old weightlifter from Chitturu, Kundapur taluk, Udupi district, rose to victory. He entered the 56 kg category, and clinched the silver medal, opening the gates for India's wins in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Gururaja hails from a very humble background. Mahabala Poojary, Gururaj's father, was a pick-up truck driver. He owned just one truck. Paddu Poojary is Gururaj's mother. He is the fifth son of Mahabala and Paddu. The family members nurtured his dream of becoming a sportsperson.

He completed primary education at Vandse village and later joined a school managed by Sri Mookambika temple, Kollur. He drew inspiration from Suresh Shetty Hosmat, who was the physical education instructor, while he was studying in PU.

He ventured into wrestling, but ended up becoming a weightlifter. He was trained under Rajendra Prasad, while doing under graduation at SDM College, Ujire.

He had called up his parents from Australia and had told them that he was working hard to bag a medal, his family members told DH.

As the news of Gururaja's feat broke, hundreds of well-wishers, relatives and friends thronged his house greeting his parents and family members.