SSI hosts eastern India’s first Throwers’ Championship in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to popularize throwing sports in the country and provide a platform to the budding talent in state, Sports Science India (SSI)—a sports medicine, rehabilitation and multi-sports promotion centre–hosted eastern India’s first Throwers’ Championship 2024.

The competition was held at OUAT Ground in the Odisha capital here from 7am onwards today. About a hundred athletes, who are 17-year-old and above, participated in the competition in two segments—shot put and discus throw, separately for male and female categories. Exciting cash prizes and trophies were awarded to the winners on the occasion.

In Men’s Shot Put throw event, Hari Behera occupied the first position, followed by Omkar Prasad Nanda and Chiranjib Singh, who were positioned second and third respectively. Similarly, in Girl’s Shot Put, Ankita Mohapatra was first, Sasmita Behera second and Dipa Singh occupied the third position.

In Girl’s Discus throw, Ankita Mohapatra was first, followed by Dipa Singh and Rajashree Swain as second and third. In Men’s Discus throw, Hari Behera was first, Omkar Prasad Nanda second, and Ranjan Kumar Sahu occupied the third position.

International weightlifter Ravi Kumar, Chief Guest at the event, said that sports is the key to leading a mentally and physically fit life. “In India and especially in Odisha, sports sector has witnessed phenomenal development. So, I request all students to take up any sport of their choice, besides their academic activities,” he added.

Gold medalist para athlete and javelin thrower Suchitra Panda, the guest of honour, said that she was delighted to attend the event organised by SSI. “The event will surely help in promoting javelin, discus, shot put – the ‘throwing’ events further. We need many more initiatives like this, to promote such events.”

Throwing events in track and field are among the oldest sporting events in recorded history. Both shot put and discus were part of the first modern Olympic games in 1896, hammer throw was added in 1900, and javelin in 1908. In modern times, track and field remains extremely popular. The main objective behind hosting this competition is to encourage the athletes of throwing sports.

International para fencing player and para javelin thrower, Prafulla Kumar Khandayat Ray, guest of honour at the event, said that such events should be extended to para athletes also who need support, assistance and a forum to excel in throwing sports. He congratulated the winners and wished them the best for future.

“In recent years, India has evolved from a cricket-centric nation to a multifaceted sporting powerhouse. The emergence of new talents, increased government support, and a changing cultural mindset have all contributed to the unprecedented rise of sports in the country. This shift has diversified the sporting landscape and has also opened doors for athletes in various disciplines. We at SSI understand this shift and also endorse the same. Thus, we decided to host a dedicated championship for throwing sports as there aren’t many for throwers,” said SSI Founder and Sports Medicine expert Sarthak Patnaik.

On the sidelines of the competition, the scientific and sports medicine team of SSI also spread awareness among the athletes about the science behind throwing sports and trained them as to how they can scientifically boost their performances.