Nisar, Avantika crowned fastest at Khelo India Games
Delhi boy Nisar wins despite having to run 100m twice in 20 minutes after a false start; Anu, Pooja claim double
NEW DELHI: Delhi’s Nisar Ahmad emerged the fastest male runner in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India School Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday. Ahmad clocked 10.76 to win the 100m, an impressive effort considering he had to run twice in 20 minutes.
The girls’ 100m title went to Maharashtra’s Avantika Narale, who clocked 12.36 secs. Delhi won the second gold when Shahnawaz Khan claimed the high jump, clearing 2.01m.
Nisar Ahmad, son of a poor autorickshaw driver, had recently grabbed media attention after being chosen to train in the Kingston academy of Usain Bolt’s coach, Glen Mills.the sprinter had to put off the trip to compete in the games. In the final, Ahmad
didn’t hear the recall whistle following a false start and ran the entire race. The re-run was put off by 20 minutes to help the runners recover, and Ahmad made it count, after Karan Hegiste of Karnataka, his main rival, was disqualified for a false start.
Sports minister, RVS Rathore, gave away the medals. Ahmad was delighted he would receive a handsome scholarship.
“I want to use this scholarship to explode the myth that Indians can’t run under 10 seconds (100m). I had to delay my trip to Jamaica and it affected my training. I will leave tomorrow. The first time I was so focused I did not hear the recall whistle.”
Uttarakhand’s Anu Kumar claimed a middle distance double. He won the boys 800m at 1:52.08 secs, having won the 1500m on Day 1. The girls’ 800m was won by Tai Bamhane of Maharashtra at 2:13.37 secs.
Haryana’s Pooja claimed a throws double. She won the discus throwing 41.01m, having won the shot put. Ikram Ali Khan (MP) won the boys’ discus at 51.39m.
Gujarat’s Vishal Makwana won the boys’ 3000m (8:48.79) and Seema (HP) the girls’ title. Punga Soren (Odisha) won the 110m hurdles at 14.12 secs. Kerala’s Aparna Roy won the 100m hurdles at 14.02 secs.