The 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship 2026 began at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The five-day championship is being jointly organised by the Athletics Federation of India and the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha.

Odisha Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj inaugurated the prestigious event as the chief guest. Addressing the athletes, the minister encouraged participants and highlighted Odisha’s world-class sports infrastructure. He welcomed athletes from across the country and expressed confidence that the championship would add another milestone to Odisha’s growing sporting legacy.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by several prominent personalities, including Dr Lalit Kumar Bhanot, President of the South Asian Athletics Federation; Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Sports and Youth Services Department; Dr Yeddula Vijay, Sports Director; and Abhijit Paul, President of the Odisha Olympic Association.

The championship holds special significance as it serves as an important qualification event for the upcoming Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.

Around 630 elite athletes, including 342 men and 288 women representing 27 states and Union Territories, are taking part in the five-day competition. The event features 45 medal categories across various track and field disciplines, including sprinting, hurdles, high jump, long jump, and javelin throw.

Haryana has sent the largest contingent with 70 athletes, while host Odisha is represented by 28 athletes, including 12 women. Several leading Odisha athletes, including javelin thrower Kishore Jena and sprinters Sravani Nanda, Animesh Kujur, Lalu Prasad Bhoi, Pragyan Prasanti Sahu, and Sabita Toppo, are competing in the championship.

The event will continue till June 28, bringing together India’s finest athletes on one of the country’s premier sporting platforms.

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Odisha’s ace swimmer Pratyasa Ray continued her impressive run at the 79th Senior National Aquatic Championship 2026 by winning the gold medal in the Women’s 200m Backstroke event on Thursday.

Representing Odisha, Pratyasa delivered a remarkable performance, clocking a personal best time of 2 minutes 20.22 seconds to finish at the top of the podium. Her achievement was a testament to years of dedication, discipline, and consistent hard work in the pool.

A product of the Odisha IIS JSW Swimming High Performance Centre (HPC), Pratyasa displayed excellent technique and composure while competing against some of the country’s finest swimmers. Her winning effort not only secured the gold medal but also marked the fastest time of her career in the event.

The gold medal came just a day after Pratyasa had won a bronze medal in the Women’s 50m Backstroke event, highlighting her outstanding form at the national championship.

Known for her determination and perseverance, Pratyasa has steadily built an impressive record on the national stage. She has previously earned accolades at prestigious competitions, including the National Games and the Khelo India University Games.

Her latest triumph further strengthens Odisha’s growing reputation in Indian swimming and reflects the success of the state’s investment in high-performance sports development programs.

With a personal best performance and another national title to her name, Pratyasa Ray has once again established herself as one of India’s leading backstroke swimmers and a strong contender for future international competitions.

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