Bhubaneswar, February 4: Jai Jeevan Pani, an Odia boy, made his mark at the Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Games 2026, which concluded on Friday (29-30 January) in Chennai.
He secured a first-place finish in the 100-meter Skating event, earning a gold medal in the sub-junior category. Currently a Class 4 student at KIIT International School,
Jai Jeevan’s achievement has earned him widespread recognition.
Jai Jeevan is the son of Jagat Jivan Pani and Shubhashree Sarangi. His victory has been met with warm congratulations and appreciation from sports enthusiasts across Odisha.
This is not the first time Jay Jivan has excelled in skating.
In October 2025, he also won a gold medal in the special category at the 12th Odisha State Roller Sports Championship-2025 held at Kaling Stadium in Bhubaneswar, further cementing his reputation as a rising star in the sport.
Jai Jeevan shares that his younger brother, Jayansh Pani, is his biggest inspiration. He looks up to him and has always practiced alongside him. Jai also expresses his gratitude towards his school and his coach, Mr. Nirmal, for motivating him to excel in sports.
The two-day event in Chennai saw participation from several countries, including Sri Lanka, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and other Asia-Pacific nations, making it a competitive and diverse multi-nation platform.
The Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Games 2026, hosted in India for the first time, featured athletes with Down syndrome competing in a variety of adapted sports, such as Bocce, Softball Throw, Athletics, Swimming, and Skating.
