A 21-member Odisha powerlifting squad returned home today after reaping a rich haul of 10 medals in the National Benchpress Championship, which held at Ranchi in Jharkhand from March 16 to 18, 2018. The 10 medals include one gold, five silver and three bronze.

Basant Maleka of Rayagada was most successful among Odisha competitors as he was crowned best junior lifter, winning the gold in 52kg category with an effort of 125kg. Dibakar Gochhayat secured silver and Dushmant Sahoo claimed bronze in junior 66kg and 74kg weight categories respectively. Gochhayat lifted 125, while Sahoo hoisted 112.5kg.

In the senior group, Bichitra Nayak, Biswajit Jena and Mohammad Javed Arshad pocketed one silver medal each in 59kg, 66kg and 120kg categories respectively. Nayak lifted 125kg, Jena 135 and Arshad 177.5kg.