The year saw achievements galore in the field of sports with many sons and daughters of the soil making Odisha proud. The sporting arena also had its share of controversies. But by and large, 2014 was a good year for the state when it came to sports

K Ravi Kumar flies high

The 26-year-old Ravi, who hails from Berhampur, has been bringing many laurels to the state since 2009. He created a record in 2010 at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games by winning the gold medal and also by lifting the maximum weight in the category that he had taken part in. At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July, Ravi had to be content with the silver medal. His performance was affected because of a shoulder injury that he had suffered during the London Olympics in 2012. He went on to win the silver despite the fact that he could not win any medal at the XVII Asian Games in South Korea. A recipient of many national awards, Ravi, who hails from a humble background, continues to be a source of inspiration to youths in the state and has become an icon. The state government has acknowledged his performance and has been rewarding him. This year, the government gave him a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for his performance in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.