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Women cyclists, led by shining-star Swasti Singh, made Odisha proud as they bagged the highest number of six medals for the State, including one silver and one bronze in track events on the 10th day of the 38th National Games at the Shivalik Velodrome in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand today. The six cycling medals featured one gold, two silver and three bronze.
Swasti also became the most medal-winner for Odisha in the ongoing Games, garnering five medals, which included one gold with New Games Record, two silver and two bronze. Rourkela cyclist Swasti secured her second silver medal today in women elite 20km omnium race with 160 points.
Swasti also helped Odisha win the bronze medal in women elite team sprint today. Barsarani Barik and Rejiya Devi Khoirom were other two members of the Odisha team that finished third with a total time of 1:16.678.
The achievements of 24-year-old Swasti was really incredible, considering the fact that she had to ride for a total of six days and four days in a row for her five medals. “I had two events today, including the grueling omnium race. Both the omnium and the team sprint were conducted simultaneously. There was no respite for me from 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM. At the end of it, I had no strength even to stand,’’ described a lion-hearted Swasti.
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“But I am happy that my hard work bore fruit. Feeling proud that I have won five medals for Odisha and we women cyclists have secured most medals for the State,” said Swasti, who expressed her desire to eat some sweets after a long time.
Amidst euphoria over cycling success, came a heart-break for Odisha as the state women football team settled for silver medal after losing to Haryana 2-4 in shoot out in the hard-fought final at Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex in Haldwani today. Shoot out rule was applied after play in regulation time ended in a goalless draw.
Goalkeeper Anshika emerged as the heroine of Haryana as she saved two penalty kicks taken by Odisha players Deepa Nayak and Jabamani Tudu. Of course, Pyari Xaxa and Manisha Naik scored for defending champions Odisha, but their efforts were not enough to deny the victory to Hayana for whom Poonam Sharma, Pooja, Mamta and Santosh scored.
With the addition of the two silver and one bronze today, the total number of medals for Odisha became 23, which include five gold, eight silver and 10 bronze. Meanwhile, Odisha experienced more setbacks today as both the men and women hockey teams of the state suffered defeats at VK Hockey Stadium in Haridwar.
Odisha men went down to Karnataka 1-2 while Odisha women lost to Madhya Pradesh 2-3. This was the second successive defeat for Odisha women and first defeat in two matches for Odisha men. These disappointing performances have jeopardised the medals hopes of Odisha in hockey.
ODISHA WOMEN FOOTBALL TEAM (Silver medal): Goalkeepers: Sasmita Parida, Manju Ganjhu. Defenders: Jabamani Tudu, Juli Kishan, Supriya Routray, Shibani Mundari, Sulekha Kanhar, Maxima Kujur, Suhasini Mahakul, Salge Majhi. Mid-fielders: Munika Minz, Sumitra Hembram, Ipshita Rout, Deepa Nayak, Satyabati Khadia, Susmita Tanty. Forwards: Manisha Naik, Pyari Xaxa, Malati Munda, Subhadra Sahoo, Pratima Oram, Kuni Munda. Coach: Gitanjali Khuntia, Manager: Gomati Bara.
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TOP: Odisha cycling queen Swasti Singh poses with her five medals at the 38th National Games in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand on 6 February 2024.
RIGHT: Odisha women cyclists (L-R) Barsarani Barik, Swasti Singh and Rejiya Devi Khoirom pose with their team sprint bronze medal at the 38th National Games in Rudrapur on 6 February 2024.
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