"When our national anthem was rendered in Switzerland, I felt immensely proud. I will also try to grab gold in Dubai Asian Youth Para Games 2017 and bring accolades to our State and country," an elated Jayanti said.
To hit her next target, she has started practice session at Kalinga Stadium. "I am confident that she would win gold in Dubai and would script history as no para athlete from the country has ever bagged gold in the event,” her coach Bishnu Prasad Mishra said.
Behera had won silver in 200 metre race and gold in 400 metre at Para Athletics Junior Championships recently in Switzerland. The lone participant from the country had also brought many accolades by winning gold at the China Open Para Athletic Grand Prix Championship.
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Her family is overwhelmed with her success. "I had never expected that my daughter would touch such a level. I always wish for her wellbeing," her mother said.
Jayanti's childhood had passed through many ups and down. Daughter of a daily wage earner, she became physically challenged at the age of one when she fell down in a burning hearth. She survived even as her left palm got damaged.
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