Berhampur, May 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded 16-year-old Harshvardhan Sahu from Odisha during his Mann Ki Baat address for his exceptional performance at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar.
Harshvardhan, a resident of Berhampur, won gold in the 49 kg weightlifting category, setting two new national records by lifting 88 kg in snatch and 115 kg in clean and jerk, with a total of 203 kg. His achievement surpassed the previous national record and earned widespread acclaim.
Currently training at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in Patiala, Harshvardhan had earlier secured a bronze at the World Youth Championships in Peru.
Leaders and sportspersons from Odisha, including Arjuna awardee K. Ravi Kumar and ministers from Ganjam district, thanked the Prime Minister for recognizing the young athlete, calling it an inspiration for aspiring weightlifters across the state.