Odisha’s Kamal Kanta To Aim Guinness World Record In Manual Wheelchair This Weekend

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Kamal Kanta Nayak will be attempting Guinness World Record for ‘Greatest Distance covered in 24 hours in manual wheelchair’ on January 15-16.

The 28-year-old para-sportsperson of Puri district will commence his challenge from Master Canteen Square to Rajmahal Square Cycle Track point at 3 pm.

Odisha Wheelchair Basketball Association along with its team Betterlife Foundation, with an aim to reach all the physically challenged community with a message “Life Is Possible”, has been assisting Kamal Kanta to successfully attempt the World record.

The Department of Sports and Youth Affairs along with Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited too are supporting the sportsperson in his endeavour to spread the message.

Kamal suffers from a spinal cord injury which left him paralysed waist down. From not being able to walk to a scripting a success story as a marathoner, Kamal has been an inspiration for all facing such challenges.

Throughout his journey, from disability to scaling heights, he has had the support and guidance of Dr PP Mohanty of National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research, Olatpur.

Founder of Spinal Foundation S Vaidynathan adopted Kamal to PEER Mentor Spinal Injury Persons across India. In addition to Sports and Marathon, Kamal eventually became a Champion in PEER Mentoring Paralysed Spinal Cord Injury across India. He has impacted 500 lives by him in this journey so far.

Kamal’s Achievements

He first participated in The Ability Marathon, in Kalinga Stadium conducted by SSEPD, Government of Odisha

Only Indian who completed a wheelchair ultra-marathon of 139.57 km in 15 hours.

16 times half marathon runner – 21 km

13 times full marathon runner – 42 km

Captain Odisha Wheelchair Basketball Team

Record setting journey of over 4,200 km on wheelchair in 2020.

Participated in National Para Athletic Championship and National Wheelchair Fencing Championship two times each

On the suggestion of late Vaidynathan, Kamal is now attempting Guinness World Record and hopes to represent India in Olympics as well as other international level sporting events as a marathoner.