Nithin races to sprint double; Jaspal’s daughter wins gold
Pune:nithin Scidanandh took up athletics seriously only four years back and since then has been on the fast track, literally. After medals at the junior South Asian Championship and nationals, the Tamil Nadu teenager completed a sprint double in the Khelo India Youth Games here on Sunday.
Scidanandh clocked a personal best of 21.57 seconds to clinch the U-21 200m gold on the last day of athletics. He had clocked 10.76 seconds in the 100m to crown himself the fastest of the meet two days earlier.
To progress in the longer sprint, he wants to give up 100m. “I want to concentrate on 200m and 400m. Realistically, I don’t think I will be able to do 100m in under 10 seconds, which is a prerequisite to do well at the top level. My personal best in 100m is 10.70 seconds. I think my age is right to make the transition to 400,” said Scidanandh.
Scidanandh was followed by Jharkhand’s Amit Yadav (21.73 secs) and Kerala’s Abhinav Chalangode (21.76 secs). Tamil Nadu athletes finished on top in two other events — U-17 long jump (P David — 7.13m) and U-17 800m (B Mathesh).
MAHARASHTRA TEAM DISQUALIFIED
Maharashtra missed a sure-shot medal in athletics as their U-21 boys’ 4x400m relay team was disqualified for pushing an opponent. Only three teams had participated, with Kerala winning
State
GS B Total
the gold and Tamil Nadu the silver. No bronze medals were awarded.
SHOOTING STAR
Devanshi Rana, ace pistol shooter Jaspal’s daughter, won the U-21 women’s 25m pistol gold by holding off a strong challenge by Haryana’s Anjali Choudhary. The final went down to the wire with the Delhi girl triumphing 24-23. Abhidnya Ashok Patil (Maharashtra) took the bronze.
West Bengal’s Mehuli Ghosh became the first double gold medallist in shooting as she teamed up with 10-year-old Abhinav Shaw in the 10m air rifle mixed team event for the gold.
U-21 HOCKEY FINAL
In U-21 men’s hockey, Haryana and Odisha won their semi-finals to set up a title clash. Haryana defeated Punjab 3-1 while Odisha edged past Uttar Pradesh 2-1.