BHUBANESWAR 10-Nov-2012 187
Karatekas from Odisha bagged three gold and two silver medals, albeit representing different states in the AIKF National Open Championship held at New Delhi from November 8 to 10. Valena Valentina, the ace woman karateka of Odisha, secured two gold medals in 50kg kata and kumite. But the medals went to Andhra Pradesh as Valena was representing the neighbouring state, where she is studying now.
Odisha`s own seven-member squad, sent by Odisha State Karate-do Association, claimed one gold through Nihar Ranjan Swain in the 16 to 17 years (76kg) fight; two silvers through Biswajit Sundaray in 13 to 14 years fight and Dilip Kumar Jena in men`s below 55kg fight categories.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Odisha karatekas Nihar Ranjan Swain (Left) and Dillip Kumar Jena.