In a bid to popularise throwing sports in the country and provide a platform to the budding talent in Odisha, the Sports Science India (SSI), a sports medicine, rehabilitation and multi-sports promotion centre, hosted eastern India’s first Throwers’ Championship 2024 in the State here on Friday.

The competition was held at the OUAT Ground. 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. Cash prizes and trophies were awarded to the winners.

In Men’s Shot Put Throw, 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, “In India and especially in Odisha, sports sector has witnessed phenomenal development.”

Gold medalist para athlete and javelin thrower Suchitra Panda, the guest of honour, said, “The event will surely help in promoting javelin, discus and shot put events further.”

International para fencing player and para javelin thrower, Prafulla Kumar Khandayat Ray, guest of honour, said such events should also be extended to para athletes who need support and a forum to excel in throwing sports.