Bhubaneswar: Odisha Sports & Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has expressed strong confidence that India is on track to host the 2036 Olympics.
He underlined that events like the Junior and Senior Artistic Gymnastics National Championships are crucial stepping stones toward that ambition. He described the championship as a “launchpad” for nurturing future Olympic talent and proposed that Odisha’s advanced sports infrastructure be developed into a full-fledged Olympic Training Centre for the nation.
Emphasising discipline and patience, he urged athletes to prepare rigorously for global competition. He further asserted that, with continued support from the Central Government, Odisha is poised to build a distinct global identity in sports.
The remarks came as the women’s events of the Championships concluded at the Gymnastics High Performance Centre, Kalinga Stadium, in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. The competition witnessed high-quality performances, with gymnasts from across the country showcasing exceptional skill, balance, and composure on the final day.
Adding historical and cultural context, Puri Lok Sabha MP Sambit Patra highlighted Odisha’s legacy in physical training, linking the Paika Rebellion – considered one of the earliest armed uprisings against British rule – to the disciplined training traditions that resemble modern gymnastics. He also spoke about the importance of Puri’s Jagaghara culture and encouraged wider engagement with these traditional spaces.
On Sunday, the Balancing Beam event saw Niranjana Poonia of Haryana clinch the gold medal, followed by Anushka Patil of Maharashtra with silver and Priyanshi Bansal of Odisha securing bronze. In the Floor Exercise, Karishma representing Railways (RSPB) took gold, while Ashmi Debnath of West Bengal and Ishita Rewale of Maharashtra finished with silver and bronze respectively. Ishita Rewale, however, topped the Vault event to win gold, with Piyasa Kundu of Railways earning silver and Soumili Karar of West Bengal taking bronze. In the Uneven Bars, Odisha’s Tannu delivered a standout performance to claim gold, while Diya Thakor of Gujarat and Amani Dilshad of Kerala secured silver and bronze, respectively.
The Junior Women’s category also saw impressive performances. Anusuya Hawladar of West Bengal won gold in the Balancing Beam, while Sriparna Debnath of Tripura topped the Floor Exercise. Vaishnavi Vyas of Telangana secured gold in the Vault, and Paromita Bera of West Bengal emerged victorious in the Uneven Bars. Notably, Tripura’s Shreyanshi Ray delivered a consistent performance across events, winning multiple silver medals.
The championships concluded on a high note, reinforcing Odisha’s emergence as a key hub for gymnastics and competitive sports in India.
