The Indian Grand Prix 1, held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, was a mixed bag of emotions for Indian athletics. The event saw the rise of a new star, Shaili Singh, and the disappointing return of Hima Das.
Shaili Singh triumphs at The Indian Grand Prix 1
Shaili Singh, a World U20 Championships silver medallist, clinched the gold medal in the women’s long jump with a commendable 6.52m distance on her first attempt. This victory was particularly significant as she outperformed two-time national champion Nayana James, who settled for the silver with a 6.44m mark. Despite their impressive performances, both athletes are yet to achieve the Olympic qualifying mark of 6.86m.
A disappointing result for Hima Das
On the other hand, the much-anticipated return of Hima Das turned out to be a letdown. After a 13-month absence due to a provisional suspension imposed by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), Hima Das returned to competitive sports. However, she failed to finish the 200m race at the Indian Grand Prix 1. She started the race but left after completing just over 50 meters. The exact cause of her failure to complete the race remains unclear.
In Hima Das’s absence, the race was won by Kerala’s Vismaya VK, who crossed the finishing line in 23.96 seconds. Hima’s personal best is 22.88 seconds, which she registered in 2021, at a meet in Patiala, Punjab.
Himas Das pulled up and walkout midway through the Womens 200m event at the Indian Grand Prix-1. Meanwhile, Kerala's Vismaya VK finished first with a timing of 23.96s. pic.twitter.com/267ih7sXfc
— Rahul Kargal (@rahulkargal) April 30, 2024
The Indian Grand Prix 1 also witnessed other notable performances. Praveen Chithravel, who won the bronze medal at the Asian Games last year, beat the Commonwealth Games champion Eldhose Paul for the top spot in the men’s triple jump with a 17.12m leap. In the men’s javelin throw, Manu DP clinched the gold medal with a distance of 81.91m.
The Indian Grand Prix 1 served as a Paris 2024 qualifying event, with athletes hoping to secure the Olympic qualifying standards. The event showcased the potential of Indian athletes and set the stage for more exciting performances in the future.
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