Asserting supremacy from the word, Go, Odisha bagged four medals on the opening day of the 13th National Wheelchair Fencing Championship in Karnal, Haryana today. The four medals include two gold, one silver and one bronze. All four medals were secured by women.

In Women-A category, Odisha international Malti Panaure captured gold medal in individual foil event, beating Rekha of Haryana in the final 15-9. Earlier in the semifinals, Panaure registered a 4-3 (time out) win over statemate Sheela Mantri, who contended herself with bronze medal.

Pujaswini Nayak proved to be the most successful Odisha fencer of the day, claiming one gold and one silver in Women-B group. She grabbed the gold in individual epee, getting the better of Chhattisgarh opponent Rohini Sahu 15-9 in the final. But in the individual foil final, Pujaswini lost to Rohini 5-15 to settle with silver medal.

A 14-member squad, including eight male fencers, is representing Odisha in the two-day championship. Among Odisha men, internationals V Ramesh Rao and Rakhal Kumar Sethi have reached quarterfinals.
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PHOTO: Odisha medal winners (L-R): Sheela Mantri, Pujaswini Nayak and Malti Panaure in Karnal on 27 March, 2021.