Bhubaneswar, Oct 27:Odisha on Tuesday welcomed para-athletes Jayanti Behera and Suchitra Parida at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar following their participation in the 5th Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Behera won the silver medal in the women’s 400m T47 event, bringing recognition to Odisha with her performance on the international stage. Her achievement highlighted the determination and hard work of the state’s para-athletes. Parida also put up a commendable performance at the continental event, finishing fourth in the women’s javelin throw F55/F56 category.

The athletes received a warm welcome from senior officials of the Sports and Youth Services Department of the Odisha government and members of the Para Sports Association of Odisha (PSAO). They were felicitated at the airport with flower garlands and bouquets.

Their return brought a moment of pride for Odisha’s sporting community, with Behera’s silver medal adding to the state’s achievements in para-sports. Parida’s fourth-place finish also reflected her competitive performance at the international event.

The Asian Para Games bring together athletes with disabilities from across the continent to compete in a range of sporting disciplines. Performances by athletes such as Behera and Parida underline the role of sustained training; institutional support and opportunities in helping para-athletes compete at the highest level. The welcome in Bhubaneswar marked a celebratory homecoming for the two athletes after representing India at the Games in Japan.