Belonging to a family of sports enthusiasts, Urja Bhuyan, a Class-XII student of Loyola School, Bhubaneswar made the school proud by winning the Gold medal and breaking the State record in Hammer Throw in 2014. “I had accomplished only one of my goals that time,” said the student, who is aiming to excel in sports as well as her studies. Lots of people say that sports and studies cannot go together.
But breaking cliches is what Urja is all about. “Though managing studies and sports together is tough, it’s not tougher than life itself,” she adds with simplicity.
After training in swimming for a few months when she was young, Urja finally started her journey as an athlete and won three Gold medals in running at the school level when she was in Class X. When she was in Class XI, her father wanted her to take up Javelin throwing, but she soon realised it wasn’t for her. Later, she was introduced to the Hammer Throw, which she liked the most.
“I am indebted to my coach Malay sir, who is the best hammer thrower in men’s category in Odisha. Under his training I entered the State Level Athletic Meet 2014 and won the gold medal”, she says. With only a month’s practice, she not only won the gold but also broke the State record in the U-18 category. “It was a proud moment in life and so I decided to take up the sports professionally”.
With lots of practice and effort, in Class-XII she won five medals and was adjudged the Athlete of the Year in school. “I am thankful to the school authorities for providing me the field to practice.”
She adds quickly that Odisha has a long way to go in athletics, “but I am lucky to be born in a family which stood by me.” That’s as spirited a throw as you will ever find!