Odisha’s Rakesh Patra selected for World Gymnastics Championships

Bhubaneswar: Odisha gymnast Rakesh Kumar Patra has been selected in a four-member Indian team for the upcoming World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2017 scheduled to begin from October 2 till 8 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Rakesh, posted in Indian Navy in 2010, will head for Montreal for the international competition on Tuesday.

“I am getting prepared for the world championships. Although, there was an issue over trainer, it has been resolved. I consider the world championships as the commonwealth games so that I could judge my level. Accordingly, I could make a blueprint for the upcoming commonwealth games,” said Rakesh

“I will participate in two Individual Event categories in the competition. I hope to deliver my best performance,” he said.

Rakesh, who hails from Hadagadia Sahi in Puri district, has made Odisha proud with a number of achievements in field of gymnastics. He has bagged 11 international medals that included four golds and three silvers and four bronzes.

Currently, he is working as petty officer in Indian Navy.