Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s athletes made history at the 2025 National Games in Uttarakhand, securing five medals in athletics—four Golds and one Silver—marking the state’s best-ever performance in a single edition. The stellar showing in track events accounted for nearly one-third of Odisha’s total 14 Gold medals at the Games.
Sprint sensation Animesh Kujur emerged as the star of the event, winning three Gold medals with a record-breaking sprint double in the 100m and 200m, along with a victory in the 4x100m relay. He clocked an impressive 10.28 seconds in the 100m, setting a new meet record, while the Odisha relay team—comprising Animesh, DM Jayaram, Lalu Bhoi, and Amiya Kumar Mallick—also shattered a meet record with a 39.47-second finish.
Bapi Hansda further bolstered Odisha’s medal tally, clinching Gold in the 400m with a personal best time of 46.82 seconds. Reflecting on his win, he said, “Winning my first National Games Gold with a personal best is a special feeling, especially after returning from injury. The Odisha government and my coaches at the High-Performance Centre played a crucial role in my recovery and success. I hope to keep improving and performing at the senior level consistently.”
Odisha’s relay team also achieved a historic milestone, winning its first-ever National Games Gold since the Odisha Relay Project was established in 2022. Head Coach Martin Owens praised the team’s achievements, stating, “This was the most successful National Games for our athletes. Animesh delivered a phenomenal performance, Bapi’s win was a pleasant surprise, and the relay Gold was a huge milestone for us. Odisha is now setting the benchmark in sprinting events in India.”
Animesh, who dominated every event he participated in, expressed his joy, saying, “I am happy to start the year with three Gold medals. My times were close to my personal bests, and setting a new meet record in the 4x100m relay was special. Now, our focus is on achieving success at the international level. The Odisha High-Performance Centre has played a vital role in my journey, and this success wouldn’t have been possible without their support.”
Adding to the medal tally, Swadhin Majhi secured Silver in the men’s high jump, clearing a personal best of 2.11m. His performance marked an improvement from his bronze-medal finish in the previous edition.
This outstanding medal haul underscores Odisha’s emergence as a powerhouse in Indian athletics, driven by world-class facilities and unwavering support from the Odisha government and the Odisha Reliance Foundation High-Performance Centre.
