BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Police added more feathers to its cap with its two athletes, Bonita Lakra and Bighnaraj Miridia, clinching gold in the ongoing World Police and Fire Games-2017 in Los Angeles.
Bonita was part of the Indian women police team which bagged gold in 4X100 metres relay race. The woman athlete of Odisha Police also clinched silver in 100 metres flat race and bronze in 100 metres hurdles in the women’s category.
Similarly, Bighnaraj bagged gold in 400 metres flat race. He also won bronze in 400 metres hurdles in men’s category.Currently, Bonita is a constable in the Commissionerate Police, while Bighnaraj is a Lance Naik at 6th OSAP battalion, Cuttack.Both the athletes of Odisha police were earlier selected by the All India Police Sports’ Control Board to represent the country in the World Police Games.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday tweeted, ‘Congratulate Bonita Lakra and Bighnaraj Miridia on winning gold at World Police Games, proud moment for the State and Odisha Police.’
DGP KB Singh also congratulated the two athletes for their winning streaks. World Police Games brought together nearly 10,000 athletes from police and fire agencies of over 70 different countries.
The games, which are held every two years, include participation of retired and active individuals in competitions ranging from weight lifting to decathlons. In the 10-day Olympics-style competition, representatives from world police and fire agencies are competing in 60 events at more than 30 venues around Southern California.