Hailing from a small Ramban village, Deaflympian Rakesh Singh has many feathers in his cap
RAMBAN : Deaflympian, Rakesh Singh of Ramban’s small village Mavalkote came into the limelight by creating a niche by playing in numerous judo championships at national level and reached to the panicle by representing India in 24th Summer Deaflympics Caxias Do Sul, 2022 held in Brazil.
He was among the proud sportspersons of the country who were felicitated by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi.
Deaflympian Rakesh Singh never allowed his Physical disability to block his path towards prominence.
Born on March 2, 2002 at village Mavalkote, Sangaldan of district Ramban, Rakesh Singh is the youngest child of Pushpa Devi and Sher Singh. According to his father, Rakesh Singh was declared as a specially-abled child by birth.
After all possible medical treatments, Rakesh Singh could not recover from his Deaf and Dumb problem. He started his education in a normal private Educational Institute, Philan Trophy Academy, Sangaldan where two young teachers Partap Singh and Parkash Singh identified his ability and guided him as per his potential in the field of education, said Sher Singh.
Sher Singh further said that the Government of UT of Jammu & Kashmir especially J&K Sports Department, Indian Sports Council, besides family members played a pivotal role in the success of Rakesh Kumar. “He is quite lucky for the reason that he received the best guidance and all necessary support that helped in chiseling and channelizing his talent in the field of sports” said the proud father.
Competing with other normal students, Rakesh Singh passed 8th class from Sangaldan and got admission in Samaj Kalyan Kendra, Shahidi Chowk Jammu in 9th standard, From there he passed 12th class examination. Now he is continuing his higher education from IGNOU.
Rakesh Singh started his journey in sports as a Judo player by participating in 4th National Blind and Deaf Judo Championship, 2016 held at Lucknow (UP).
Continuing his journey by taking part in J&K State Open Judo Championship, 2017 at Jammu, he secured 2nd position, and 6th National Deaf Judo Championship, 2018 at Lucknow, he secured 3rd position. He participated in IV National Deaf Junior & Sub Junior Sports Championship, 2019 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and 7th National Deaf Judo Championship, 2019 held at Gorkhpur and secured 1st and 2nd positions respectively. He also participated in 8th National Deaf Judo Championship, 2020 held at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab and secured 2nd position.
Identifying the potential in Rakesh Singh in the field of sports, Principal, Samaj Kalyan Kendra, Mr. Suraj Bhan started his training in Judo discipline with the result Rakesh Singh achieved various milestones by clinching Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in different categories at State , National and International level.