Manipal, DHNS: Two physiotherapists, products of School of Health Sciences, Manipal, are in Rio de Janeiro with the Indian Olympics team. While Kiran C is with the badminton team, appointed by the Badminton Federation of India, Digpal Ranawat Takhatsingh is the personal physio of Abhinav Bindra.

“It’s a matter of pride and honour to be working with Abhinav, who was the flag-bearer for the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of Rio Olympic Games. It was an experience of my life time,” said Digpal in his Facebook post.

Manipal University vice chancellor Dr H Vinod Bhat congratulated them for the recognition they have received so early in their careers. “Manipal University is proud of them. It speaks volumes for the kind of education we impart here,” he added.

A visibly happy Dean of School of Allied Health Science Dr Rajashekhar said that he was extremely happy to see his students do well and that too in the international arena like the Olympic Games. “We take great care to ensure our students get the best training so they can handle any situation,” he said. “The students were talented and we gave them a proper grounding,” the dean added.

Another alumnus Prachi Shah was a trifle unlucky not to make it to Rio. She was the Sports Authority of India physio for the Indian senior taekwondo, men and women teams and senior and junior sepak tekraw teams, also men and women, which participated in the South Asian Games in Guwahati and Shillong earlier this year.