Odisha`s Rakesh Kumar Patra has been selected to represent the country in the World Gymnastics Championship to be held at Antwerp (Belgium) from September 30 to October 6. According to a press release from Odisha Gymnastics Association, Patra was picked by Gymnastics Federation of India after he occupied the top position in the selection trial at Delhi.

Patra, who hails from Puri, is serving in Indian Navy. He also represented the country in the 2011 World championship at Tokyo. Twenty-one-year-old Patra achieved his best international success in the 2008 Tulit Peter Memorial Cup at Budapest (Hungary), where was adjudged the best gymnast, bagging four gold, two silver and one bronze medals.