Pratik Maharana is from a poor family in the Bargad district of Odisha. He used to work as an Amazon delivery boy during the pandemic, but he also excelled in his matriculation exam with 74% marks. He has a dream of winning a medal for India at the world level, and he considers the great sprinter Usain Bolt as his ideal. He has already won several medals at the state and national level competitions in various events, such as 100m, 200m, 1000m, and middle relay. He is currently preparing for the national youth games in June, where he hopes to secure a place in the Indian team. He is trained by coach Shiva Mishra, who praises his talent and potential. He also requests the state government to provide him with proper training facilities in Bargad.
He was an Amazon delivery boy during the day. Today he dreams of conquering the world. Pratik Maharana, the son of poor parents Yudhisthir Maharana and Urmila Maharana from Dang village in Bargad district, has given a new flight to his sports career. He proved that anything can be achieved with strong willpower and confidence. He has become an inspiration for many who want to win a medal for India from outside the thatched house. Despite the obstacles and hardships, Pratik passed the matriculation exam with the first division. He also brought pride and glory to the state by winning multiple medals in the national junior athletics competition. This 16-year-old boy has also performed well in the middle events of 100m and 200m. He set a new record in the state for the 100m under-18 category (10.72 seconds), won gold in the 200m in the eastern zone junior athletics (22 seconds), won bronze in the 100m and silver in the 1000m middle relay in the India Youth Games last year, and won gold in the 1000m sprint middle in the 58th national junior athletics. He is now preparing for the World Youth Games. He hopes to get a place in the Indian team by performing well in the national youth games in June. He told ‘Sambad’ that he considers the great sprinter Usain Bolt as his ideal.
He is very enthusiastic about his coach Shiva Mishra. He said Pratik is a very talented athlete. If he gets proper guidance, support, and training, he can win a medal at the international level. I have requested the state government to arrange for his training in Bargad.
