Special haul: (left to right) Awtar Singh, Suman Kumari, Ramai Gagrai, Ganga Bai, Nandita, Ian Xavier and Sukhdeep Kaur at Athens. Telegraph picture

Jamshedpur, July 7: Dancing and winning medals were all a part of a day’s work at Athens for five Jharkhand’s special athletes, all from Jamshedpur.

At the World Summer Games in Athens, Greece, three of the five — Nandita, Suman Kumari and Ganga Bai — bagged a rich haul of eight medals. With three gold and silver medals each, and two bronze ones, the state’s woman power donning India’s jersey made a truly special impact.

Coach Awtar Singh, who went with the team, said that overall, India won 243 medals — 78 gold, 73 silver and 92 bronze — at the Games. Altogether 182 athletes — 100 men and 82 women — represented the country in the mega event held from June 25 to July 5.

Nandita brought home one gold and one bronze in cycling, Suman bagged one gold and two silvers in badminton while Ganga pocketed a hat-trick of medals — one each in gold, silver and bronze — in the same event.

The men in the five-member contingent — Ian Xavier of Society for Technical Assistance and Remedial Training and Ramai Gagrai of Parents’ Association of Mentally Handicapped of Jamshedpur — however drew a blank.

But for all — the women’s winning troika and the men — yesterday’s homecoming, with coaches Awtar Singh and Sukhdeep Kaur, was special.

The athletes, who were greeted by family and friends at JRD Tata Sports Complex, decided to go home straightaway.

Cyclist Nandita, who is an orphan adopted by All India Women’s Conference (city unit) bagged the 500m time trial gold as well as a bronze in 5km time trial. Suman bagged gold in badminton singles and a silver each in doubles and mixed doubles. Ganga got a gold in badminton singles, a silver in doubles and a bronze in mixed doubles.

The cyclist and the shuttlers practise at the School of Hope, which will felicitate them on Monday, said principal Shyamla Raju.

“I’m happy, though we could have won more medals had Ramai not strained his thigh during 100m,” said Singh.

The coach added that the Jharkhand contingent enjoyed their Athens stay to the hilt. “Events were held at a five-str hotel to acclimatise the athletes to the host town. The Indian contingent learnt about Greek culture and food. Nandita and Xavier even danced to Miley sur mera tumhara. Nandita donned a peacock feather hat while Xavier waved the Tricolour,” Singh recalled.