Highlights-
- Para-athlete Kamala KantaNayak has set the new Guinness world record.
- He set a new world record in covering the greatest distance in a wheelchair in 24 hours.
- The Para-athlete began his marathon from the Master Canteen Square to the Rajmahal Square.
Para-athlete Kamala KantaNayak has set the new Guinness world record in a manual wheelchair. He was honored by the Sports and Youth Services Department of the Odisha government for setting a new world record in covering the “Greatest Distance” in a wheelchair. By covering a distance of 213 kilometers in 24 hours, he entered the Guinness World Record.
Kamalakanta is a resident of Puri, Odisha. The Para-athlete began his marathon from the Master Canteen Square to the Rajmahal Square and finished it in 24 hours. He used the 680 meter-long cycle track between both destinations.
Set new record after 15 years
Previously, Mario Trindade of Portugal had set a wheelchair distance record of 182.4 km (113.34 miles) in 24 hours. He established the record at the Vila Real Stadium in Vila Real, Portugal, on December 3-4, 2007. After 15 years, the Para-athlete Kamala KantaNayak of India has set the world record by covering 213 km in 24 hours.
To monitor the event, eight cameras and GPRS systems were installed. The Para-athlete took a total of two hours of rest in four stages. Kamalakanta was assisted in his journey by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Bhubaneswar Smart City Ltd, and the city-based NGO, Betterlife Foundation.
Life achievements of the Para-athlete
Kamalakanta first took part in The Ability Marathon in Kalinga Stadium. The event was organized by the Odisha government’s Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department (SSEPD). Following that, he began competing in various marathons across India.
Kamalakanta is the only Indian to have completed a 139.57 km wheelchair ultramarathon in 15 hours. He is also a 16-time half-marathon (21 km) runner, a 13-time full marathon (42 km) runner, and Captain of the Odisha Wheelchair Basketball Team. Kamalakanta also has a record-breaking wheelchair journey of over 4200 km in 2020.
“Next target is Paris Paralympics”
“I am overjoyed and grateful to everyone who helped and encouraged me along this historic journey. People’s attitudes toward differently-abled people will change as a result of my accomplishment. My next goal is to qualify for the Paralympics in Paris ” Kamalakanta stated.
