Odisha wheelchair fencers have once again showcased their remarkable talent on the international stage, bringing home two medals for India in the 2024 Wheelchair Fencing Asian Championships held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The competition concluded on Sunday, with the Odisha trio securing one silver and one bronze medal, both in team events. The Indian men’s sabre team, comprising Rakhal Kumar Sethy and Pabitra Sahu from Odisha, along with Parveen and Devendra Kumar from Haryana, claimed the silver medal. Despite their valiant efforts, the team faced defeat in the final match against host Thailand, with a score of 32-45. However, their journey to the finals included a convincing victory over Uzbekistan in the semifinals, with a score of 45-33.
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s epee team, featuring Rakhal Kumar Sethy and Venkateshwar Ramesh Rao from Odisha, along with Parveen and Davendra Kumar from Haryana, secured the bronze medal. They achieved this by defeating Japan in the third-place match, with a score of 45-42. Although the team faced a setback against Iraq in the semifinals, with a score of 35-45, they demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the tournament. The participation of five wheelchair fencers from Odisha, including two women, further enriched India’s representation in the Asian championships. While Odisha women competitors Malti Panaure and Sheela Mantri showcased commendable performances in both individual and team events, they narrowly missed out on securing medals.
Notably, Pabitra Sahu emerged as the standout performer among the Odisha wheelchair fencers, clinching three international medals within a week. The 22-year-old student from BJB Autonomous College in Dhenkanal district added the Asian silver to the two medals he previously won in the U-23 World Championships, held in the same venue. Sahu’s remarkable achievements include a silver medal in men’s individual sabre and a bronze medal in individual epee at the U-23 World Championships. The historic achievements of these athletes have not gone unnoticed, with the Odisha Para Sports Association president Kamala Kanta Rath, secretary Lokanath Mohanty, and Wheelchair Fencing Odisha chairperson Bela Jaiswal extending their heartfelt congratulations to the medal winners from the state. Their success serves as a testament to the growing prominence of Odisha athletes in the realm of international wheelchair fencing, inspiring future generations to pursue excellence in sports.
Odisha wheelchair fencers have once again showcased their remarkable talent on the international stage, bringing home two medals for India in the 2024 Wheelchair Fencing Asian Championships held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The competition concluded on Sunday, with the Odisha trio securing one silver and one bronze medal, both in team events. The Indian men’s sabre team, comprising Rakhal Kumar Sethy and Pabitra Sahu from Odisha, along with Parveen and Devendra Kumar from Haryana, claimed the silver medal. Despite their valiant efforts, the team faced defeat in the final match against host Thailand, with a score of 32-45. However, their journey to the finals included a convincing victory over Uzbekistan in the semifinals, with a score of 45-33.
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s epee team, featuring Rakhal Kumar Sethy and Venkateshwar Ramesh Rao from Odisha, along with Parveen and Davendra Kumar from Haryana, secured the bronze medal. They achieved this by defeating Japan in the third-place match, with a score of 45-42. Although the team faced a setback against Iraq in the semifinals, with a score of 35-45, they demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the tournament. The participation of five wheelchair fencers from Odisha, including two women, further enriched India’s representation in the Asian championships. While Odisha women competitors Malti Panaure and Sheela Mantri showcased commendable performances in both individual and team events, they narrowly missed out on securing medals.
Notably, Pabitra Sahu emerged as the standout performer among the Odisha wheelchair fencers, clinching three international medals within a week. The 22-year-old student from BJB Autonomous College in Dhenkanal district added the Asian silver to the two medals he previously won in the U-23 World Championships, held in the same venue. Sahu’s remarkable achievements include a silver medal in men’s individual sabre and a bronze medal in individual epee at the U-23 World Championships. The historic achievements of these athletes have not gone unnoticed, with the Odisha Para Sports Association president Kamala Kanta Rath, secretary Lokanath Mohanty, and Wheelchair Fencing Odisha chairperson Bela Jaiswal extending their heartfelt congratulations to the medal winners from the state. Their success serves as a testament to the growing prominence of Odisha athletes in the realm of international wheelchair fencing, inspiring future generations to pursue excellence in sports.
