Bhubaneswar, Oct 22: Odisha’s sporting community was plunged into grief after two promising young athletes, Mrutyam Jayaram Dondapati and Malaya Barik, died in a road accident on National Highway 16 near Phulnakhara late Wednesday night.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 10:30 pm. Both athletes were rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where doctors declared them brought dead.

Dondapati and Barik were trainees at the High Performance Centre (HPC) at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Their untimely deaths have left fellow athletes, coaches and sports enthusiasts mourning the loss of two emerging talents.

Dondapati had made a mark in Indian athletics by winning gold medals in the men’s 100m and 200m events at the Indian Open U-23 Athletics Competition in 2025. Barik was a talented 400m runner who represented Odisha at state and national-level competitions.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over their deaths and extended condolences to the bereaved families. Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj also mourned the loss, praying for strength for the families during this difficult time.

The tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom over Odisha’s athletics fraternity, which has lost two young sportspersons with promising careers ahead.

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