Oriya Players in London Olympics 2012

Oriya Players in Olympics

London Olympics is scheduled to start from 27 July 2012 to 12 August 2012. India is going to compete in 13 Sporting activities, with 81 athletes at these games. From these players, three are from Orissa (Odisha) – K Ravi Kumar in Weightlifting, Ignes Tirkey and Birendra Lakra in Hockey.

K Ravi Kumar

Katulu Ravi Kumar with his medal winning performance at 2010 Commonwealth Games, Delhi has emerged as a medal prospect in weightlifting event. He was born and brought up in Berhampur, Orissa. Ravi Kumar, originally a bodybuilder, took up weightlifting just three years before the 2010 Commonwealth games, and won with a record total of 321 kg.

Ignes Tirkey and Birendra Lakra

The Indian field hockey team under its new coach Michel Nobbs is playing very attractive. Ignes Tirkey and Birendra Lakra from Odisha are selected in the final 18. It is needless to mention a podium finish in hockey is what every Indian fan is dreaming and expecting. Ignes Tirkey was a member of Indian hockey team that participated in the Athens Olympic in 2004, where India finished seventh. This is his second Olympics.

Birendra Lakra scored the first goal in India’s stupendous victory in the final game of the Olympic Hockey Qualifying Tournament against France. He has represented India in the Test series against South Africa in 2012 and SAAF game at Dhaka in 2010.