Which athletes from Odisha will represent India at Asian Para Games 2023?

Pramod Bhagat will be among the biggest names heading to Hangzhou.

In recent years, Odisha has emerged as a prominent sports hub in India. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure and a strong commitment to nurturing the sporting culture in the country for the Asian Para Games 2023, the eastern state has been actively supporting aspiring athletes from the grassroots level, cultivating their growth, and facilitating their career advancement in the field of sports.

Kishore Kumar Jena, a native of Odisha, achieved a remarkable feat by winning a silver medal in the Javelin throw at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023, demonstrating the state's dedication to producing exceptional athletes.

Furthermore, the sports enthusiasts in the state are fervently hoping for success in the Asian Para Games 2023. Seven athletes from Odisha have been chosen to represent the nation in this prestigious event, scheduled to take place in Hangzhou.

Notably, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of Odisha, whose visionary approach to sports is widely recognized in the world of athletics, has already announced an incentive of Rs 10 lakhs for each player participating in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games 2023. This gesture not only reflects his commitment to promoting sports but also serves as a source of motivation for these exceptional athletes.

In this article, we will have a look at the athletes of Odisha who are representing India at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games 2023.

1. Pramod Bhagat – Para Badminton

Pramod Bhagat emerges as the top contender in the realm of Para-Badminton. His noteworthy achievements include securing a gold medal in the men's singles badminton event in the SL3 category at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020. With such outstanding performances, Pramod Bhagat holds the potential to elevate the reputation of our nation in upcoming prestigious tournaments.

Notably, he has also earned a gold medal in the men's singles category and a bronze medal, together with Manoj Sarkar, in the men's doubles category at the 2018 Asian Para Games.

2. Jayanti Behera – Para Athlete

Jayanti Behera is an esteemed athlete in the field of track and field events who proudly represents India in the Women's 200m, 400m, and 800m categories. Her exceptional talent and dedication have placed her as a respected Paralympic athlete on the international stage.

In the third Asian Para Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2018, she won a silver medal in the women's 400m event and a bronze medal in the women's 200m event in the T45/46/47 category.

She also had two medals to her name at the World Junior Para Athletics Championships in Nottwil, Switzerland, in 2017. There, she secured a gold medal in the T42-T47 400m event and a silver medal in the 200m event.

3. V Ramesh Rao – Wheelchair Fencing

V. Ramesh Rao has been chosen as the representative for India in the wheelchair fencing event at the upcoming Asian Para Games in 2023. One significant accomplishment of Ramesh at the international level is his exceptional performance with the men's epee team, securing a silver medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championship held in London, England in 2022.

Ramesh has also acquired a notable collection of achievements in the National Wheelchair Fencing Championship throughout the years. He has secured an impressive total of 8 gold medals and 5 silver medals.

4. Soundarya Kumar Pradhan – Blind Chess

Soundarya Kumar Pradhan is going to represent India in blind chess events in the ongoing event. He has accomplished an outstanding achievement by becoming the first Indian to secure a silver medal in the World Individual Junior Chess Championship for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

This remarkable feat was accomplished at the 10th IBCA World Individual Junior Chess Championship for the Blind and Visually Impaired, which was held in Solec-Zdroj, Poland in 2018.

Notably, he has also won a silver medal in the men's team rapid V-8283 category of the 3rd Asian Para Games, held at Cempaka Puth Sports Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2018.

5. Rakhal Kumar Sethy – Wheelchair Fencing

Rakhal Kumar Sethy is another name who is going to represent India in wheelchair fencing at the Asian Para Games 2023.

Rakhal is an accomplished athlete and a highly skilled fencing coach. With notable achievements at the national level, Rakhal's career reached a pinnacle when he won a silver medal in the men's epee team event at the Commonwealth Fencing Championship in London 2022.

6. Prafulla Kumar Khandayatray – Wheelchair fencing

Prafulla Kumar Khandayatray is not merely a wheelchair fencing athlete, but he has also garnered remarkable accomplishments in the realm of para-athletics. It is worth noting that he will be participating in the upcoming Asian Para Games 2023 as a member of the Indian contingent, proudly representing his country in the wheelchair fencing events.

With a series of notable accomplishments under the state's auspices at national events, Prafulla is now diligently striving to secure a prestigious medal for himself on the global stage.

7. Pujaswini Nayak - Wheelchair fencing

Pujaswini Nayak is the only woman in the wheelchair fencing squad from Odisha who will be representing the nation at the mega event.

Pujaswini has demonstrated remarkable athleticism in her specialized field. Her most noteworthy accomplishment occurred at the National Wheelchair Fencing event in 2021, where she secured an impressive six medals: four gold, one silver, and one bronze. It is evident that she is highly motivated to make a significant impact and strive towards earning more accolades in the future.

The 2023 Asian Para Games is starting from 22nd October and will go on till 28th October at the Hangzhou Sports Park Stadium, Hangzhou, China.