The Indian athletics fraternity has been plunged into deep mourning following the untimely deaths of two of Odisha’s most promising young track stars, Mrutyam Jayaram Dondapati and Malaya Barik.
The rising athletes lost their lives in a devastating road accident late at night near Nakhara on the Kataka-Bhubaneswar National Highway.
According to reports, the fatal collision occurred around 10:30 PM. Both young athletes were immediately rushed to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Kataka, where attending doctors pronounced them dead upon arrival.
At the time of the tragedy, Jayaram Dondapati—who emerged as one of India’s fastest U23 sprinters—was travelling alongside fellow training partner and 400m quartermiler Malaya Barik. Both promising talents were undergoing rigorous professional training at the State-of-the-art Kalinga Stadium High-Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar, carrying the hopes of the nation on the track.
Jayaram Dondapati clinched GOLD in the Men’s 200m event at the Indian Open U23 Athletics Competition, while Malaya Barik secured GOLD in the Men’s U-20 400m race at the National Indoor Athletics Championships held in March 2026.
The unexpected loss of these two bright sporting hopes has sent shockwaves through local sports academies, coaches, and teammates. Tributes have begun pouring in from across the country as coaches, athletes, and sports enthusiasts express their heartfelt condolences to the grieving families during this unimaginably difficult time.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Expresses Grief:
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep grief over the tragic demise of two Odia athletes, Mrutyam Jayaram Dondapati and Malaya Barik, who lost their lives in a fatal road accident.
Taking to his official handle on X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister wrote:
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.
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) October 22, 2026
