Odisha Weightlifting Icon Bijay Kumar Satpathy Passes Away at 73

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, and Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj expressed profound grief on Tuesday over the passing of Arjuna Award-winning weightlifter Bijay Kumar Satpathy. The 73-year-old sports icon died on Monday morning at his residence in Berhampur, Ganjam district, due to age-related ailments, according to family sources.

Chief Minister Majhi, in a post on X, mourned the loss, stating, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Arjuna Award winner and renowned sportsman Vijay Kumar Satpathy. I pray that Lord Jagannath grants peace to the departed soul and provides strength to his family to bear this sorrow.” Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik echoed similar sentiments, noting, “Satpathy’s achievements in weightlifting brought pride to Odisha and will continue to inspire. I pray for the eternal peace of his soul and express my condolences to his grieving family.”

Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj described Satpathy’s death as an “irreplaceable void” in Odisha’s sports arena, extending heartfelt condolences to his family. Satpathy’s illustrious career included five national weightlifting championships from 1977-78 and 1982-83, representing the Indian Navy and Indian Railways. His international accolades include a gold medal at the Mini Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia, in 1981, a silver in the bantamweight category (227.5 kg lift) at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, and bronze medals at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Nagoya (1981) and Damascus (1983). He also secured a gold at the Pakistan National Games in Peshawar in 1982.

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Honored with the Arjuna Award in 1982 by President Giani Zail Singh, Satpathy was further recognized in 2024 with the Biju Patnaik Sports Award for lifetime achievement. His contributions to weightlifting elevated Odisha’s stature in Indian sports, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire future generations.

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