Sprinters DM Jayaram, Malaya Barik pass away in motorcyle accident

File image of athlete DM Jayaram. | Photo Credit: dm_jairam/IG

Promising Indian sprinters from Odisha DM Jayaram and Malaya Barik were killed in a road accident late on Wednesday night.

Jayaram, 21, was a two-time national champion in relay and a two-time Asian U20 bronze medallist in 4x100m relay. Malaya, 20, competed in 400m.

Both had recently competed in the Indian Open Under-23 Athletics competiton held in Jaipur last week.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi mourned their loss, stating on X, “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.”