Bhubaneswar, October 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Two Odisha sprinters, Mrutyam Jayaram Dondapati and Malaya Barik, died in a road accident on National Highway 16 near Phulnakhara in Cuttack district late Wednesday night, triggering grief across the state’s sporting fraternity.
Dondapati, who hailed from Kalahandi district, was among India’s fastest under-23 sprinters in 2025. Barik was from Bargarh district. Both athletes were training at the High Performance Centres (HPCs) at the Kalinga Stadium Sports Complex in Bhubaneswar.
According to reports, a group comprising three athletes and a swimming coach was travelling on two two-wheelers towards Cuttack to attend a Sambalpuri Melody orchestra during the Durga Puja celebrations.
Astik Pradhan, who recently won a silver medal in the men’s 400-metre event at the U23 National Championships in Jaipur, was reportedly travelling on a separate two-wheeler about 50 metres behind the other members of the group.
Reports said the two deceased athletes lost control of their vehicle and crashed into roadside barricades on the National Highway near Phulnakhara. They were rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and members of the sporting fraternity across the state and country expressed deep sorrow over the deaths.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Majhi said, “Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of athletes Mrutyam Jayaram Dondapati and Malaya Barik in a road accident. Their untimely passing is a profound loss to Odisha’s sporting fraternity. My heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families. May Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath grant them strength in this difficult time and eternal peace to the departed souls.”
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