Bhubaneswar, May 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the stellar achievement of Odisha’s young weightlifting star, Harshvardhan Sahu, during his monthly radio program, Mann Ki Baat today.

Sahu, a 16-year-old weightlifter from Berhampur, showcased remarkable strength at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025, held in Bihar, where he broke two national records.

Competing in the 55 kg category, Sahu lifted 88 kg in snatch and a record-breaking 115 kg in clean and jerk, setting a new national total of 203 kg—one kilogram above the previous record. His exceptional performance has placed him among India’s rising sports talents.

Acknowledging Sahu’s dedication and achievements, PM Modi praised him alongside other young athletes, including Maharashtra’s Asmita Dhone and Uttar Pradesh’s Tushar Chaudhary. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of sports in shaping India’s future and commended the young weightlifter’s relentless pursuit of excellence.

Sahu expressed his gratitude and excitement, stating that being mentioned on Mann Ki Baat was a motivating factor in his journey. Having trained at the Army Sports Institute in Pune before joining the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala, Sahu remains committed to scaling greater heights in the sport.