Odisha secured a total of eight medals in the 5th KIO U-21 & Senior National Karate Championship, which was held at Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from 26 February to 1 March 2026. The eight medals include three gold, two silver and three bronze.
Deaflympic medallist Loma Swan was the top achiever for Odisha, winning individual gold and team bronze. Valena Valentina also lived up to her reputation as a star karateka of the state, grabbing gold in team kata and silver in individual kata.
The Odisha squad was accompanied by coaches Kharabela Mallick, Deepak Kumar Samantara, Santosh Maharana; manager Abinash Pundir, woman manager Sindhu Tanaya Khuntia and referee Rajib Singh.