Bapi Hansda, one of India’s most promising young athletes, has faced a setback ahead of the Junior World Athletics Championships. Scheduled to take place in Lima, Peru, from August 27 to 31, 2024, this prestigious event was eagerly anticipated by sports enthusiasts and athletes alike. Unfortunately, Hansda’s journey to Lima has been cut short due to an unexpected health issue.
Bapi Hansda misses out due to viral infecion
While training at the SAI Camp in Bangalore, Bapi Hansda contracted dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection. This diagnosis forced him to withdraw from the U20 Athletics World Championships. His absence is a significant blow to the Indian contingent, as he was considered a strong medal contender in both the 400m and 4x400m Relay events.
Despite his young age, Hansda has already made waves in the world of athletics. In 2023, Hansda won the 400m hurdles at the 18th National Youth Athletics Championships in Udupi, clocking an impressive 51.95 seconds. His performance propelled him to the top of the Under-18 world rankings in this category.
Hansda secured a silver medal in the men’s 400m hurdles at the 2023 Asian Youth Athletics Championships in Uzbekistan. He became the first Indian to achieve this feat.
During the National Junior U20 Federation Athletics Championships in Lucknow, Hansda set a new record with a personal best (PB) and season best (SB) time of 46.90 seconds in the 400m. His gold medal win showcased his immense talent.
Representing India in Trinidad and Tobago at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2023, Hansda continued to impress, further raising expectations for his performance at the Junior World Athletics Championships.
🚨🚨#BREAKING: Bapi Hansda to Miss Junior World Athletics Championships Due to Dengue
➡️India's rising star Bapi Hansda will miss the Junior World Athletics Championships after contracting dengue at the SAI Camp in Bangalore, where he was training with other participants for the… pic.twitter.com/kazbWCRIr4
— nnis Sports (@nnis_sports) August 19, 2024
With over 1,700 athletes from 134 teams competing in Lima, Bapi Hansda’s absence will be deeply felt. India now looks to other members of its contingent to bring home medals and improve upon its joint 25th finish at the 2022 edition in Colombia.
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