image credits: odisha cycling association
On the 10th day of the 38th National Games, the spotlight shone brightly on Odisha’s athletes, particularly odisha cyclists, who have shown exemplary performance. The event, held at the Shivalki Velodrome in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand on February 6, 2025, saw Odisha clinching a remarkable total of six medals in cycling, contributing significantly to the state’s medal tally.
Swasti Singh: Odisha’s Cycling Star
Swasti Singh, a shining star in the realm of Indian cycling, led Odisha to glory by securing the highest number of medals for the state in track events. Her achievements include one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, making her the most decorated athlete from Odisha in these games. Among her victories, Swasti set a New Games Record in one of her gold-winning performances. In the women elite 20km omnium race, she secured her second silver medal with an impressive score of 160 points.
Team Effort of Odisha Cyclists in the Women Elite Team Sprint
In addition to her individual success, Swasti played a pivotal role in the team events. Odisha’s women’s cycling team, including Swasti, Barsarani Barik, and Rejiya Devi Khoiroum, clinched the bronze medal in the women elite team sprint. This collective effort underscored the depth of talent within Odisha’s cycling contingent.
Swasti’s Journey: A Testament to Hard Work
The journey of 24-year-old Swasti Singh is nothing short of inspirational. She competed in five grueling events over six days, with two events on the final day alone. “I had two events today, including the grueling omnium race. Both the omnium and the team sprint were conducted simultaneously. There was no respite for me from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. At the end of it, I had no strength even to stand,” Swasti shared, shedding light on the physical and mental endurance required at this level of competition. Despite the exhaustion, her spirits were high as she expressed, “But I am happy that my hard work bore fruit. Feeling proud that I have won five medals for Odisha and we women cyclists have secured most medals for the State,” before humorously adding her desire to indulge in some sweets after a long time.
Football Silver Amidst Cycling Gold
While the cycling team was celebrating, there was a mix of emotions for supporters as the state women’s football team secured a silver medal after a tough loss to Haryana in the final. The match, held at the Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex in Haldwani, ended in a draw, leading to a shoot-out where Odisha lost 2-4. Goalkeeper Anshika emerged as the heroine, saving two penalties, but efforts from Deepa Nayak and Jabanamani Tudu, along with defensive plays by Pyari Xaxa and Manisha Naik, were not enough to clinch the gold.
Odisha’s Medal Tally in The National Games
With the addition of two silver and one bronze medal from football and cycling on february 6th , Odisha’s total medal count reached 23, including five gold, eight silver, and ten bronze. This performance, while commendable, also highlights areas where the state needs to bolster its efforts, particularly in hockey.
