A 16-member Odisha squad bagged a total of seven medals to finish overall first runners-up in the 35th Senior National Rowing Championship, which was held at Upper Lake in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) from January 27 to February 2, 2017. The medals included three gold, two silver and two bronze.

The championship featured four events each in 500 and 2000 metre categories and Odisha participated in both the categories. Sanjukta Dung Dung won one gold and one silver in women’s 500 metre and 2000 metre singles scull events respectively. Meena Madhuri Toppo and Manjula Xess bagged a double by capturing gold medal in women’s both 500 and 2000 meter double scull events.

The other silver medal for Odisha was pocketed by Pramila Prava Minz, Pratima Puhana, Jharana Hasti and Sumitra Mullick in women’s 2000 metre coxless four. Kamla Lakra and Pricila Buxla  claimed one bronze medal in women’s 2000 metre coxless pair, while the other bronze medal was grabbed by Pramila Prava Minz, Pratima Puhana, Alma Lakra and Sonali Swain in women’s 500 metre coxless four.

Odisha Association for Rowing and Sculling president Binod Dash and secretary Amarjyoti Singhdeo congratulated the rowers for their achievements. Odisha squad includes 11 female and five male rowers, coach Paulose and manager Ashmita Kujur.

ODISHA SQUAD:
Female: Pramila Prava Minz, Pratima Puhana, Sanjukta Dung Dung, Meena Madhuri Toppo, Manjula Xess, Kamla Lakra, Pricila Buxla, Jharana Hasti, Sonali Swain, Alma Lakra, Sumitra Mullick.
Male: Pritibanta Jena, Suvendu Kumar Jena, Akash Kumar Mohanty, Gagan Bihari Behera, Soumya Ranjan Baral.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Odisha squad for the Senior National Rowing Championship poses in Jagatpur, Cuttack on January 24, 2017.