New Delhi: Sixteen-year-old champion Indian weightlifter Yoshna Sabar from Odisha’s Gajapati district was conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for excellence in sports at a ceremony held in New Delhi on December 26, 2025. The award was presented by President of India Droupadi Murmu. Competing primarily in the 40 kg weight category, Jyoshna is regarded as one of India’s most promising youth athletes as of December 2025.
Yoshna hails from Pekata village under Marlaba Gram Panchayat in Raigarh block and belongs to a small farming family. The daughter of Kirtan Shabar and Gachmeri Shabar, her journey from a remote tribal region to international sporting platforms reflects perseverance, discipline and strong institutional support.
Her talent for sports became evident during her early school years. She took up weightlifting in 2018 and was soon selected for the Tenvik High Performance Weightlifting Centre in Bhubaneswar. Alongside rigorous training, she continued her studies at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), successfully balancing academics and competitive sport.
Yoshna has since emerged as a four-time international medallist, winning honours at the Asian, Commonwealth and World Championships, including two medals at the world level. She has also secured five national titles and earned recognition as the Best Weightlifter of India, an exceptional achievement at her age.
Her success highlights how timely access to quality education, professional training and encouragement can help unlock talent. Yoshna Shabar’s achievements now serve as a source of inspiration for young athletes from rural and tribal communities aiming for excellence on the global stage.
