From shelter to champion: The inspiring journey of a 10-year-old | Fusion - WeRIndia

Amidst the flashing cameras and loud cheers at the 68th National School Games, a 10-year-old boy stood victorious, gripping his gold medal with pride.

R Raja, a determined young athlete, had just won the boys’ under-19, 25-kg judo tournament in Gujarat.

While others celebrated their victories or consoled their losses, Raja’s triumph symbolized something much greater, his journey from a shelter home to the top of the podium.

Before Raja became a judo sensation, his life was marked by struggles and loss. In 2015, his family, originally from Villupuram, lost their home during the Chennai floods, which displaced nearly 18 lakh people.

After moving to Chennai’s outskirts in search of work, tragedy struck again when Raja’s mother passed away due to health issues. His father, B Ramesh, a daily wage labourer, was left to care for him and his younger brother.

Without a home, the boys were placed in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) shelter in Thiruvanmiyur, run by Jeeva Jyothi NGO.

In 2021, while the world was battling the pandemic, Raja’s life took a new turn. D Sarathy, a black belt in judo with a master’s degree in physical education, joined the shelter as a night security guard.

Passionate about the sport, he began training the children, determined to instil discipline and resilience in them. Instead of living in his own home, he chose to stay at the shelter to mentor the children.

Sarathy immediately noticed Raja’s determination and talent. Practising twice a day, the young athlete quickly honed his skills and excelled in judo competitions.

His hard work paid off when he became the first GCC shelter child to compete at the national level.

Alongside his National School Games gold medal, Raja earned the State Achiever Award from the Chennai Corporation Education Department and a silver medal at the Chennai District Revenue Department School Education Judo Tournament 2024-25.

Raja, who is currently in Class 6, is determined to balance his studies and judo training. His dream is to make his shelter proud and represent India in international tournaments and the Olympics.

He acknowledges the invaluable support of his judo coach and physical education teacher, Rani, for guiding him through his journey.

Sarathy believes that many more children in shelters have immense potential but lack basic support.

Many talented kids are unable to compete due to the lack of essential documents like birth certificates and Aadhaar cards.

He urges the government to provide the necessary documentation, education sponsorships, and travel support for aspiring athletes.

With proper support, Raja’s story can inspire countless others to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on March 12, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1101013