Dr. Shobha M E wins historic medals for India at Aceh International Orienteering 2024

Dr. Shobha M E wins historic medals for India at Aceh International Orienteering 2024

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, September 10, 2024: Dr. Shobha M E, an Associate Professor at Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), has made history as the first Indian woman to win medals at the Aceh International Orienteering Championship 2024, held from 6th to 8th September on Sabang Island, Indonesia.

Competing against 160 athletes from 10 countries, Dr. Shobha emerged as a standout, securing a gold medal in the Middle Category and a silver in the Sprint Category. Her gold-winning performance involved navigating an 8-9 km course with 11 control points across challenging terrains, including villages, forests, and beaches. In the Sprint Category, she narrowly missed the gold by just 40 seconds, navigating 4-5 km through significant urban landmarks in Sabang.

Dr. Shobha’s achievement is a landmark for Indian orienteering, marking the first time an Indian woman has won at an international level in the sport’s century-long history. Orienteering, a sport that combines navigation and endurance, is popular in Europe, Oceania, and North America and is recognized in the World Games.

MIT Director Dr. Anil Rana praised Dr. Shobha’s success, stating, "Her incredible achievement underscores the excellence MIT strives for. We are proud of her global accomplishment." MAHE Vice-Chancellor Dr. M D Venkatesh and Pro-Chancellor Dr. HS Ballal also commended her, highlighting the significance of her victory for India and the inspiration it will provide to future generations.

The event also saw another Indian, Rahul Verma of Bangalore, win a silver medal in the male Sprint category, further elevating India’s status in the international orienteering community.