Seven sportspersons from Odisha have been selected in the 309-member Indian contingent for the 4th Asian Para Games 2022, scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China from 22-28 October 2023. This was announced by the Para Sports Association of Odisha today.

The seven are: Pramod Bhaga (Para badminton), Jayanti Behera (Para athletics), Soundarya Kumar Pradhan (Blind chess), Rakhal Kumar Sethy, V Ramesh Rao, Prafulla Kumar Khandayatray and Pujaswini Nayak (all Wheelchair fencing).

The biggest ever Indian contingent, featuring 196 men and 113 women, will compete in 17 disciplines, including five sports (Canoe, Blind Football, Lawn Bowls, Rowing, and Taekwondo) for the very first time. Other 12 disciplines are: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boccia, Chess, Cycling, Judo, Powerlifting, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis and Wheelchair Fencing. India had

In the inaugural edition of the Asian Para Games, held in 2010, a 102-member Indian delegation had garnered 14 medals, including one gold. The 2nd Asian Para Games 2014 fetched 33 medals for the 86-member Indian squad. The 33 medals featured three gold, 14 silver and 16 bronze.

A 190-member Indian contingent achieved its best success at the 3rd Para Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta, bagging a total of 72 medals, including 15 gold, 24 silver and 33 bronze. Four athletes from Odisha contributed a total of six medals to the Indian tally at the Jakarta Games.

Para shuttler Pramod Bhagat captured one gold and one bronze, para athlete Jayanti Behera secured one silver and one bronze, while visually impaired chess players Prachurya Pradhan and his younger brother Soundarya Pradhan claimed one silver each. Paralympic and World champion Pramod Bhagat also won one bronze medal in the 2014 Asian Para Games.
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PHOTO: File pictures of the seven Odisha sportspersons (Clockwise from left): Pujaswini Nayak (Wheelchair fencing), Pramod Bhagat (Para badminton), Jayanti Behera (Para athletics), Rakhal Kumar Sethy (Wheelchair fencing), Prafulla Kumar Khandayatray (Wheelchair fencing), Soundarya Kumar Pradhan (Blind chess) and V Ramesh Rao (Wheelchair fencing).