A para-athlete, Kamalakanta Nayak, is on a mission to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by covering 200 kilometres in 24 hours on his wheelchair.
Kamalakanta started his journey from Raj Mahal Square in Bhubaneswar at around 3 pm on Saturday.
The State Sports and Youth Affairs Department and city-based and NGO Betterlife Foundation are helping Kamalakanta, who is a resident of Puri district, in his attempt to achieve the Guinness World Record for ‘Greatest Distance covered in 24 hours in manual wheelchair’.
“I have been practicing for the last six years to achieve the feat and I am confident I will be able to cover the distance in a record time. I need the blessings of the people of the State,” said Kamalakanta.
Ollywood actor and social activist Sabyasachi Mishra, who attended the programme said, “The attempt needs a lot of courage and Kamalakanta’s efforts will be a huge confidence booster of many people like him. His attempt is proof that no obstacle can stop you if you are determined and passionate about achieving something.”
Earlier Kamalakanta had participated in ‘The Ability Marathon’ held at Kalinga Stadium. He is the only Indian to have completed a wheelchair ultra-marathon of 139.57 km in just 15 hours.
Besides, he has participated in the 2- kilometer half-marathon for 16 times and 42-kilometre full marathon for 13 times. Kamalakanta was the captain of the State Wheelchair Basketball Team.
He has also participated in the National Para Athletic Championship and National Wheelchair Fencing Championship two times each.