- At the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG), 24-year-old Uttar Pradesh Police constable Riya Verma represented India
- She has won two gold medals in freestyle relay competitions, 50- and 100-meter breaststroke competitions; she also won two silver medals
- She also won a bronze medal in the mixed medley competition
After winning five medals at the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG), which took place in Birmingham, USA, from June 27 to July 6, 24-year-old Uttar Pradesh Police constable Riya Verma has gained international recognition.
Riya, who was competing for India for the first time at an international level, took home two gold medals in freestyle relay competitions, two silver medals in the 50- and 100-meter breaststroke events, and a bronze in the mixed medley.
Talking to TOI in the US, Riya stated: "My dream is to win an Olympic medal for India. That feeling would be beyond words." She credited her coach for spurring her journey to her father, Rajeev Verma—a swimming coach. "I started swimming in a small local pool in Class 8. My father taught me everything.” He has been my greatest support.
Saharanpur SSP Ashish Tiwari greeted her achievement, "Riya has brought pride to the force. Sports instill personality and foster teamwork—qualities essential to policing. We must support greater participation in sports."
Riya is walking on the path of UP Police sportspersons who have played for the country at the international level. DSP Anuj Kumar Chaudhary, India's 2003 WPFG silver medal in wrestling, went on to represent India in the Athens Olympics of 2004. Punjab Police's DSP Avneet Kaur Sidhu, who had four medals (including gold) at the 2017 WPFG, went on to compete in rifle shooting for India at the Beijing Olympics of 2008. Munish Tankha, a silver medalist in India for the 100m butterfly of the 1988 WPFG, also went to the Seoul Olympics that year.
The WPFG, a biennial Olympic-style competition for police officers, firefighters, and first responders, is promoted by the host city and California Police Athletic Federation. India this year ranked third in medal count overall with a total of 568 medals—all of which were 276 gold. The USA led the pack with 1,268 medals (536 gold), while Brazil was second with 723 (260 gold). UP Police too was leading the way for Indian success with 95 medals won, out of which 45 were gold, 34 silver, and 16 bronze.
