Bhabhua. Two young athletes from Kaimur district, Sarthak Raj and Jitendra Kumar, have brought laurels to their district by winning gold medals at the State Level Inter-Divisional School Athletics Competition held in Purnia. The competition was organized from November 1 to 5 under the joint aegis of the Sports Department Bihar, Bihar State Sports Authority, Patna, and the Purnia District Administration, under the School Games Federation of India.

In the Under-14 boys' category, Sarthak Raj secured a gold medal in the 100-meter race and a bronze medal in the 200-meter race. Meanwhile, in the Under-17 boys' category, Jitendra Kumar delivered an impressive performance, winning a gold medal in the 1500-meter race. Both athletes have also secured their spots for the national-level competition based on their outstanding performances.

Jitendra Kumar trains at Sai Physical Academy in Sahuka under the guidance of athletics coach Laxman Paswan. He is the son of Umesh Ram, a resident of Nuawan Ghinhupatti village in Ramgarh block. Sarthak Raj, on the other hand, has practiced since childhood at Jagjivan Stadium, Bhabhua, under the mentorship of former District Athletics Secretary Kabir Ali and District Athletics Coach Dilip Kumar Patel. Sarthak Raj is a resident of Isia village in Chainpur block, and his parents are Ram Pravesh Singh and Shweta Singh, the latter being a former Zila Parishad member.

Sarthak Raj has also been selected for a scholarship of three lakh rupees under the Bihar government's Prerna Scholarship Scheme for his excellent performance in athletics. This scholarship was awarded based on his stellar performance at the district and state levels in the Bihar government's Mashal Khel Khoj competition last year.