How good are the para fencers of Odisha? One can get an idea about their standard by comparing the performances they put in two international competitions this month. Six of them reaped a rich harvest of 11 medals (6 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) in the Commonwealth Fencing Championship, held in Lagos, Nigeria from 11 to 14 August 2026.

But on the opening day of the Para Fencing World Cup, which commenced at Eastern National Sports Training Center in Pattaya City, Thailand today, all five competitors from Odisha, including one woman, were eliminated before pre-quarterfinals in respective events. The five Odisha para fencers are: Rakhal Kumar Sethy, Venkateshwar Ramesh Rao, Pabitra Sahu, Omm Prakash Behera and Kumari Malti Panaure.

WORLD CUP PERFORMANCE OF ODISHA PARA FENCERS:

Mens Epee (Category A):

Rakhal Kumar Sethy: Won three and lost two matches at the pool stage to advance to the Table of 64, where he beat Jegnesh Maheswaran (India) 15-8 and then lost to Zainulabdeen Al-Madhkhoori (Iraq) 8-15 in Table-32. He eventually finished 28th among 39 competitors.

Venkateshwar Ramesh Rao: Won three and lost two matches at the pool stage to advance to the Table of 64, where he beat Antoine Verdin (France) 15-14 and lost to Oliver Lam Watson (England) 10-15 in Table-32. He eventually finished 29th among 39 competitors.

Pabitra Sahu: Won two and lost three matches at the pool stage to advance to the Table of 64, where he lost to Yuen Hing Kwong (Hong Kong) 7-15. He eventually finished 39th among 52 competitors.

Mens Epee (Category B):

Omm Prakash Behera: Won two and lost two matches at the pool stage to advance to the Table of 64, where he got a bye in the first round and then lost to Chitiphat Charoenta (Thailand) 4-15 in Table-32. Eventually finished 24th among 39 competitors.

Womens Sabre (Category A):

Kumari Malti Panaure: Won three matches and lost one at the pool stage to advance to the Table of 64, where she got a bye in the first round and then lost to Hyo Kyeong Kwon 2-15 in Table-32. Eventually finished 24th among 41 competitors.
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PHOTO: Odisha competitors (L-R), Venkateshwar Ramesh Rao, Pabitra Sahu, Kumari Malti Panaure, Omm Prakash Behera (Sitting) and Rakhal Kumar Sethy pose at the Para Fencing World Cup in Pattaya City, Thailand.