Odisha got off to an impressive start in the 21st National Para Athletics Championship 2023, bagging two gold and two bronze medals on the opening day at  Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, Maharashtra today.

Pankaj Bhue won the first gold medal for Odisha in men long jump T-13 category with an effor of 5.60 metre. His statemate Mangat Hembram secured the bronze medal in the same event with a jump of 5.33 metre.

Odisha sprint ace Jayanti Behera captured the second gold medal for the State in 400m women T-27 category, clocking 1:02.21. The second bronze medal for Odisha was claimed by Arjun Bhatra in 400m men T-12 cetegory with a time of 57.41 seconds.

Para Sports Association of Odisha has fielded a 19-member State squad in the four-day National Para Athletics Championship.
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PHOTO: Odisha medal winners (L-R) Arjun Bhatra, Pankaj Bhue, Jayanti Behera and Mangat Hembram pose at the National Para Athletics Championship in Pune on 18 March 2023.