Odisha Shines at 24th National Para Athletics Championship with 17 Medals
Grand Finale of the Championship
The 24th National Para Athletics Championship concluded successfully at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. The host state, Odisha, showcased an impressive performance, securing a total of 17 medals, which included 5 golds.
Odisha's Gold Medalist Aims Higher
Suchitra Parida from Odisha clinched gold in the Women's Javelin Throw F56 category. However, she expressed a sense of disappointment despite her victory. In an interview, she mentioned, "I feel happy, but there's a lingering disappointment because my last throw was 18.29 meters in 2025. This year, I aimed to break that record, but my throw was only 17.80 meters. I've gained some weight, which has affected my running speed and performance."
"The trials for the Asian Games are set for June or July, giving me time to improve. In practice, I've achieved throws of 19.60 meters. I am confident that I can lose the extra weight in the next three months. My main goal this year is to secure a medal at the Asian Games," she added.
Haryana Dominates Medal Tally
Haryana emerged as the overall champion, amassing an impressive 95 medals. Tamil Nadu followed in second place with 51 medals, while Gujarat secured third with 30 medals.
Chirag Tyagi Sets Sights on Asian Record
Chirag Tyagi, a para athlete from Uttar Pradesh, won gold in both the 400m T12 and 100m T12 events. He expressed his ambitions, stating, "I started this season with a time of 49.69 seconds. Last season, my best was 50.50 seconds at the Khelo India Para Games, where I also won gold. This year, I aim to break the Asian Record with a time of 48.42 seconds. Success relies on both the athlete and the coach, and we focus on various training methods, including weight training and hill workouts, while ensuring we avoid injuries to progress further."
Championship Sees Massive Turnout
The championship attracted 1,460 para-athletes from 28 states, along with teams from the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), competing in 145 medal events.