Odisha icon Soundarya Kumar Pradhan finished 2nd runner-up, securing seven points from nine rounds at the 16th AICFB National Championship for the Visually Challenged, which was held in Thane, Maharashtra from 13 to 18 March 2023.

Kishan Gangolli (Karnataka) emerged champion with 7.5 points, while Aryan B Joshi (Maharashtra) settled as first runner-up with seven points. The top three finishers qualified to represent India in the IBCA World Championship and Asian Para Games, scheduled to be held in Greece and China respectively later this year.

Defending champion Soundarya Pradhan won six games, drew two and lost one in the National championship. He was well placed at the end of seventh round, winning five games and drawing two. But a defeat in the eighth round against Aryan Joshi cost him dear.

Among other Odisha players, Prachurya Pradhan (5.5) and Subhendu Kumar Patra (5) finished 14th and 17th respectively. Prachurya is the elder brother of Soundarya.
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PHOTO: National champion Kishan Gangolli (Centre), 1st runner-up Aryan Joshi (Right) and 2nd runner-up Soundarya Pradhan pose with their trophies at the National Championship for the Visually Challenged in Thane on 18 March 2023.