Mayurbhanj boy Laxman Marandi and Cuttack girl Aaruhi Das were crowned as the best archers in the 1st Odisha State Kids (Under-9) Achery Championship, which was organised by Cuttack District Archery Association (CDAA), under the aegis of Odisha Archery Association (OAA) at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on 23 and 24 December 2023.

Laxman and Aaruhi were awarded the Narasingha Pratihari Running Trophy and Bidulata Pratihari Running Trophy respectively. More than 20 boys and girls from different districts participated in the two-day championship, which featured competition in Indian and Recurve rounds.

Archers from Mayurbhanj district asserted supremacy, bagging six out of a total of 11 medals. Cuttack and Sambalpur captured two medals each, while Subarnapur secured one.

Odisha Olympic Association secretary Avijit Paul inaugurated the championship, while CDAA vice-president Bishnu Charan Das handed over the trophies and medals. CDAA president Parikshit Moharana and secretary Sampurnananda Das were present on the occasion.

RESULTS:

Indian Round: Boys: 1. Laxman Marandi (Mayurbhanj), 2. Nihit Kumar Monanta (Mayurbhanj), 3. Ananta Gobinda Marndi (Mayurbhanj). Girls: 1. Aaruhi Das (Cuttack), 2. Anwesha Dehury (Sambalpur), 3. Namita Banara (Mayurbhanj).

Recurve Round: Boys: 1. Arnab Kumar Dehury (Sambalpur), 2. Jagannath Murmu (Mayurbhanj). Girls: 1. Latika Mahanta (Mayurbhanj), 2. Ammi Amruteswari Khamari (Subarnapur), 3. Abhilipsha Swain (Cuttack).
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PHOTO: Medal winners, guests and officials pose at the presentation ceremony of the State U-9 Archery Championship in Cuttack on 24 December 2023.