Munishwar to the four
   Date :19-Aug-2020

Vijay Munishwa_1 &nb
 
 
Sports Reporter :
 
With Dronacharya Award (Lifetime), completes the quartet of Arjuna Award, Shiv Chhatrapati Award and Dadoji Konddev Award. First from the state to win all four coveted awards. 
 
 
THE much decorated para athlete of the city Vijay Munishwar added one more important sporting honour to his name when as he found a place in the list of Droncharaya Awardees (Lifetime Achievement) that was announced on Tuesday. Munishwar became the first sportsperson from Maharashtra to complete the set of awards as a player and then as a coach. Maharashtra’s top award for a player is Shiv Chhatrapati Award (1990-91) while that for the coach is Dadoji Konddev Award (2006-07).
 
“It is a very happy occasion for me and my family. I am thankful to the almighty that I was selected this time. It has been a long wait. Actually, I was expecting this award since 2006,” said an elated Munishwar while sharing his joy with ‘The Hitavada’ on Tuesday. “I am the only person from the state of Maharashtra to complete all the four awards a sportsperson looks forward to in his life,” claimed Munishwar, who received his Arjuna Award for excelling in athletics and powerlifting 20 years ago in 2000.
 
“Two of my trainees have won Arjuna Awards. My trainees have won 35 international medals while 30 players who trained under me got State awards,” he added. The National Sports Awards ceremony is conducted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 29 that is celebrated as the National Sports Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic all the winners will be logging in from their respective places to hear their names being announced.
 
As a player participating in arm-wrestling, boxing, athletics and powerlifting, Munishwar has won three international golds and as many numbers of silver and bronze medals. One of his top performances was a Asian record achieved on August 15, 1999 in Yunlin, Taiwan. Participating in 31 international events including Para Olympic Games, he visited 55 countries. Munishwar holds many important posts in various capacities including being Chairman, PCI Powerlifting, India and Founder President of The Maharashtra State Paralympic Association. An avid blood donor, Munishwar has donated blood for 106 times in his life and has conducted 41 blood donation camps.