The Indian sports fraternity is mourning the loss of one of its most decorated weightlifters, Bijay Kumar Satpathy, who passed away yesterday at his residence in Berhampur due to age-related ailments. He was 73.
Satpathy, a native of Somnath Nagar near Aska Road, was a five-time National Champion between 1977 and 1983, representing both the Indian Navy and Indian Railways. His prowess on the international stage earned him a Silver medal at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane and a Bronze at the Asian Championship in Nagoya, Japan. He also clinched Gold at the 1981 Mini Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Satpathy was honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award by then-President Gyani Jail Singh on August 29, 1982.
Known for his technical brilliance and raw strength, Satpathy set benchmarks in the 59 kg and 56 kg categories, lifting up to 147 kg in clean and jerk and 110 kg in snatch. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Indian weightlifters.
In a heartfelt condolence message, Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj expressed profound grief, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Arjuna Awardee Bijay Satpathy. From grassroots competitions to prestigious national and international platforms, he won medals in weightlifting and made Odisha proud. His departure has created a void in the state’s sports community. I pray for the peace of his soul and extend my condolences to the bereaved family.”
ଅର୍ଜୁନ ପୁରସ୍କାରପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ଭାରୋତ୍ତୋଳକ ବିଜୟ ଶତପଥିଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗରେ ଗଭୀର ମର୍ମାହତ । ୧୯୮୨ରେ ଅଷ୍ଟ୍ରେଲିଆର ବ୍ରିସବେନରେ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ରାଜ୍ୟଗୋଷ୍ଠୀ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ାରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ପାଇଁ ଭାରୋତ୍ତୋଳନ ପଦକ ଜିତିବାର ପର୍ବ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିଥିଲେ ସ୍ବର୍ଗତ ବିଜୟ ଶତପଥି। ଜାତୀୟ ଓ ଅନ୍ତର୍ଜାତୀୟ ଭାରୋତ୍ତଳନ ପ୍ରତିଯୋଗିତାର ଜାଜୁଲ୍ୟମାନ ପ୍ରତିଭା ବିଜୟଙ୍କ…
— Suryabanshi Suraj (@suryabanshibjp) September 23, 2025
