India Emerges Overall Champions in South Asian Junior Athletics Championships

By
Teja Devathoti
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7
South Asian Junior Athletics Championships

India showcased its athletic prowess by emerging as the overall champions at the South Asian Junior Athletics Championships, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The event, which concluded on September 13, 2024, saw India dominate the medal tally with a total of 48 medals, including 21 gold, 22 silver, and 5 bronze.

India’s Dominance at South Asian Junior Athletics Championships

India’s athletes excelled across various disciplines, particularly in middle-distance races and throwing events. The Indian contingent’s performance was marked by several record-breaking feats and standout performances.

Middle-Distance Races

  • 1500m Race: Vineeta Gurjar clinched gold with a time of 4:33.63, followed by Laxita Vinod Sandilea who secured silver.
  • 800m Race: Indian athletes continued their dominance with strong finishes, showcasing their endurance and tactical acumen.

Throwing Events

  • Javelin Throw: Deepika was the star of the event, setting a new meet record with a throw of 54.98 meters, surpassing the previous record of 48.08 meters. Poonam secured the silver medal with a throw of 51.21 meters.
  • Shot Put: Tamanna and Pooja Kumari took gold and silver respectively, with impressive throws that left their competitors trailing.

Relay Performances

India’s relay teams also put up commendable performances, particularly in the women’s 4x100m relay.

  • Women’s 4x100m Relay: The team, comprising Nancy, Abinaya Rajarajan, N Cornelio, and V Sudheeksha, set a new meet record with a time of 45.08 seconds
  • Men’s 4x100m Relay: Despite a strong effort, the Indian team had to settle for silver, with Sri Lanka taking gold in a record-breaking run.

Sri Lanka’s Strong Showing

While India dominated the overall standings, Sri Lanka also had notable performances, particularly in the sprints and relays. The Sri Lankan team finished second in the medal tally with 35 medals, including 9 gold, 9 silver, and 17 bronze.

  • Men’s 4x100m Relay: Sri Lanka’s team, anchored by individual 100m champion W Merone Julian, set a new meet record with a time of 40.28 seconds.
  • Sprints: Sri Lankan sprinters showcased their speed, with R Indusara Vindushan setting a new meet record in the 200m race.

Bangladesh’s Performance

Bangladesh finished third in the overall standings, securing three bronze medals. Their athletes showed promise, particularly in the middle-distance races and relays.

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