Bhubaneswar: Odisha wheelchair fencers continued their run of success in international competitions, bagging one silver and bronze medal each for the country in the 2024 Wheelchair Fencing Asian Championships, which concluded in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on Sunday.
Both medals were secured in team events. The Indian men’s sabre team, featuring Rakhal Kumar Sethy, Pabitra Sahu (both Odisha), Parveen and Devendra Kumar (both Haryana) settled for the silver medal after losing the final match against host Thailand 32-45 today. Earlier in the semifinals, India beat Uzbekistan 45-33.
The Indian men’s epee team won the bronze medal with a 45-42 win over Japan in the third-place match yesterday. Rakhal Kumar Sethy, Venkateshwar Ramesh Rao (both Odisha), Parveen and Davendra Kumar (both Haryana) were members of the Indian epee team, which beat Hong Kong 45-38 in the quarterfinals, but went down fighting to Iraq in the semifinals 35-45.
As many as five wheelchair fencers from Odisha, including two women, represented India in the Asian championships. Odisha women competitors Malti Panaure and Sheela Mantri fought well in both individual and team events, but could not win any medal.
Pabitra Sahu emerged as the star performer among the Odisha wheelchair fencers, capturing three international medals within a week. The 22-year-old BJB Autonomous College student added the Asian silver to the two medals he grabbed earlier in the U-23 World Championships, which was also held in Nakhon Ratchasima from 21 to 23 April 2024.
A native of Dhenkanal district, Sahu secured the U-23 World silver medal in men’s individual sabre and the bronze in individual epee. It was a historic achievement for the young swordsman from Odisha who was not only making his international debut but also the only competitor from India.
Odisha Para Sports Association president Kamala Kanta Rath, secretary Lokanath Mohanty and Wheelchair Fencing Odisha chairperson Bela Jaiswal congratulated the medal winners of the State.
Courtesy: orisports.com
