Sangeeta Singh made Orissa proud by winning four gold medals in the Junior National Powerlifting Championship at Patiala earlier this week.
Hailing from steel city Rourkela, 21-year-old Sangeeta won the four golds in women`s 75kg weight class, lifting 170kg in squat, 67.5kg in benchpress and 140kg in deadlift for an overall lift of 377.5kg.
Sangeeta`s impressive performance has given yet another boost to powerlifting in the state, which earlier produced international medallists Ranu Mohanty, Mandakini Mahanta, Pradip Patra, Kirtan Behera and Purna Chandra Bidika.
Two more powerlifters from the state bagged medals in the Patiala meet, defying extreemely cold conditions and late-night competition.
Gitarani Sasmal claimed two silvers and a bronze in women`s plus 90kg class, while Bagur Ratai secured a silver in the deadlift event of the men`s 52kg class, lifting 225kg in the process.
Inspired by her recent success, Sangeet Singh now aims to fulfill her childhood dream of representing the country in an international meet.
``Two years ago, I got an opportunity to compete in Asian Junior Championship, but missed it due to visa problem,`` recalled Sangeeta, who names Ranu and Punjab`s Mandeep Kaur as her idols.
``I hope I will get better coaching and training facilities to realise my dream,`` added the genial powerlifter after her return home today.