Odia Lad Kamal Kanta Nayak Tries A Shot At The Guinness World Record
Bhubaneshwar, January 16 (TNA) In a first, a 28 year old Kamal Kanta Nayak, of Puri District of Odisha on Sudnay made an attempt for Guinness Record for the ‘Greatest Distance covered in 24 hours in manual wheel chair, He commences his challenge from Master Canteen Square to Rajmahal Square Cycle Track point at 15:00.hours.
Odisha Wheelchair Basketball Association along with its team Betterlife Foundation, with a aim to reach all the physically challenged community with a message “LIFE IS POSSIBLE”, has been assisting Kamal Kanta to successfully attempt the World record. The Department of Sports and Youth Affairs along with Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited has generously given their helping hand to make the event a grand success, spokesman of the Betterlife Foundation, Sagarika Dubey informed.
Kamal was destined for greater glory despite the tragedy that struck him -a spinal cord injury, which rendered him paralysed, waist down. From not being able to walk to a marathoner, Kamal has come a long way. He was determined to script a story of determination and inspiration for all through his relentless efforts. His unending quest to resurrect the life brought him across Dr, P.P. Mohanty at National Institute of Rehabilitation Training & Research, Olatpur. And thus was born, para-sportsperson Kamal Kanta, who never looked back & went on achieving milestones one after another.
After learning about the extra ordinary life skill qualities of Kamal Kanta, Late Mr S. Vaidynathan, Founder Spinal Foundation adopted Kamal Kanta to PEER Mentor Spinal Injury Persons across India. In addition to Sports and Marathon, Kamal Kanta eventually became a Champion in PEER Mentoring Paralysed Spinal Cord Injury , across India. At least 500 lives have been impacted by him thus far.
Kamal Kanta first participated in The Ability Marathon, in Kalinga Stadium conducted by SSEPD Dept, Govt of Odisha. Thereafter, he started participating in different marathon across India. He is the only Indian who completed a wheelchair ultra-marathon of 139.57 km in 15 hours. He is also 16 times half marathon runner - (21 km), 13 times full marathon runner - (42 km) and Captain Odisha Wheelchair Basketball Team. He also has a record setting journey of over 4200 km on wheelchair in the year 2020.
He has overcome his limitations and even Participated in National Para Athletic Championship and National Wheelchair Fencing Championship two times each. “Odisha State Wheelchair Basketball Association sole aim is to make wheelchair users independent. In the process we discovered how our young friends bloomed into exceptional players and one such diamond in the rough is Master Kamal Kanta Nayak” Durga Prasad Pattnaik, Secretary, Odisha State Wheelchair Basketball Association said while underlining that they always wanted economic independence of wheelchair users.
The inauguration day was named as Blessing day and was attended by many including R Vineel Krishna, Commissioner cum Secretary, Odisha State Sports and youth department, Anant Narayan Jena, MLA BBSR Central, Sulochana Das, State Commissioner Disability, PP Mohanty, HOD, Physiotherapy Dept, National Institute of Rehabilitation Training & Research, Olatpur, Cuttack
The virtual session was graced by MP, Puri, Pinaki Mishra. The to and fro distance from Rajmahal to Master canteen is approximately 1.14 km is the lap for super ultra-marathon. In between Kamal had his food, therapy, CIC and hydration done.