Odisha Scores Another High With National Sport Climbing Championship

Bhubaneswar: True to its stature as the new sports capital, the city played proud host to India’s premier sport climbing event, the 25^th National Sport Climbing Championship, which concluded on Friday.

Organised by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation in collaboration with the Odisha government’s Sports and Youth Affairs Department, the even had kick started on January 6.

According to the organisers, 129 sport climbers from across India participated in the championship. They were tested on all three disciplines — lead, speed and bouldering. The competitors included Asian gold medallist Shivani Pannu as well as other athletes who have represented India internationally.

With their place on the Indian team up for grabs, the competition was fierce but fair with no inch given, nor asked for. A new speed record was set by Anisha Verma with a timing of 10.41 seconds.

The closing ceremony of the prestigious championship was held in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Indian Navy’s Commodore Shailendra Singh, who is also the Deputy Director General of NCC, was present as the chief guest.