Odisha-based SAI canoe athletes created history by bagging one silver and one bronze medal for India in the Junior & U23 Canoe Sprint Asian Championship, which is being held at the Rowing & Canoeing Race Course in Samarqand, Uzbekistan from 26 April 2023.

Leichonbam Neha Devi became the first international canoeing medallist of Odisha as she helped India win the silver medal in C4 junior women 500m team on April 26.

Other three members of the Indian team were Megha Pradeep, Shivani Verma and Akshaya Sunil.

Tomthilnganba Ngashepam and Pukhrambam Roji Devi secured the bronze medal in U23 mixed K2 500m event on April 27. All three medal winners are inmates of Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence, Jagatpur, Cuttack.

As many as five canoe athletes from Odisha are representing India in the ongoing Junior Asian Championship. The other two are: Khangembam Nanao Meitei (U23 men), and Irom Borish Singh (Junior men). Odisha woman coach L Bishesori Devi is also be part of the Indian contingent.