A farmer’s son has qualified for the Asian Games, which is a historic moment for India. He is currently practicing at the MP State Equestrian Academy. His father Sujan Singh Bhadoria, is a farmer belonging to the village Harpal ka Pura, Bhind district, Madhya Pradesh.
With 40.8 penalties, Raju Singh Bhadoria met the requirements for the Asian Games and qualified as India's fourth competitor. He earned qualification by taking first place in the CCI Two Star Eventing Competition held at the ASC Center in Bengaluru.
Raju had previously qualified with the second qualifier from January 4th to 8,61 Kevalri in Jaipur with 37 penalties. He qualified for the first trial in Delhi in 2022 at Army Equestrian Center Delhi with 40.4 penalties.
MP Sports Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia took pride in Raju’s success stating that this was a demonstration that MP’s sports' academies are capable of producing world-class talent. He stated, “In a state where equestrian was unheard of, we have managed to create Asian qualifiers through our quality training.”
India has had two men from the Indian Army qualify as well. These are Major Apoorva Dabade from 61 Cavalry Jaipur and Havildar Vikas Kumar from Veterinary Corps Meerut. The other sportsman who qualified for the Asian Games is Ashish Limai from Pune.
Raju had begun his training in 2015 under the chief coach at the academy. The coach, Captain Bhagirath stated, “Raju joined the Madhya Pradesh Equestrian Academy in 2015 under the Talent Hunt Programme.”
Raju’s maternal uncle Arvind Singh Parihar is a horse caretaker at the Madhya Pradesh State Equestrian Academy. Raju had developed a fondness for the horses while visiting his uncle at the academy. Following thei selection at the academy, Raju had been declared ‘best rider’ twice at the national level.
He was felicitated with the Eklavya Award 2020. Raju Singh had undergone intensive training under Ireland UK foreign training in May 2022 and a warmblood eventing horse was purchased for him.
