Berhampur: He was the weightlifter titan who once lifted India’s pride to dazzling heights, yet his final journey slipped by in poignant silence with an unending wait for help from the government. Bijay Kumar Satpathy, the illustrious son of Berhampur and Arjuna Award winner, passed away at his Somnath Nagar 4th lane residence on Sunday evening at the age of 73, leaving behind an aching void in the sporting fraternity of Odisha.

Bijay’s life was a saga of grit and glory. He received Arjuna Award from then President Giani Zail Singh on August 29, 1982. He was the first weightlifter of Odisha to receive Arjuna Award.

Bijay was the National Champion in weightlifting for five consecutive years from 1977-78 held at Calcutta till 1982-83. He was adjudged as the Best Weightlifter of India at C

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