HONG KONG, MAY 31 (PTI): India clinched three more gold on the final day to end their impressive campaign at the second place in the medal tally in the 22nd Asian U20 Athletics Championships here on Sunday.
India accumulated 19 medals — 10 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze — in the four-day meet to finish second behind China (14 gold, 9 silver, 2 bronze). Japan ended at third with 18 medals (5 gold, 5 silver, 8 bronze).
India also won two silver and one bronze on the final day Sunday. The Indian 4x400m women’s team, anchored by Neeru Pathak, won gold with a time of 3 minute 38.07 seconds to better the meet record. The other members of the team were Bhumika Sanjay Nehate, Tahura Khatun and Sehnoor Bawa. The previous meet record of 3:38.20 was set by Japan in 2018.
All three medal winning teams in the men’s 4x400m relay improved the previous meet record of 3:07.38 set by Japan in 1999. China took home gold with a time of 3:04.88 and Qatar won silver (3:05.06). The Indian men’s 4x400m relay team also improved the meet record of 3:07.38 but finished third with a time of 3:05.54. The team members were Piyush Raj, Sayed Sabeer Sayed Sabeer, Ranjith Kumar S and Mohammed Ashfaq. Earlier in the morning session, Muskan set the ball rolling by winning the gold medal in the women’s 5,000m. She clocked 16:53.08. Venkatram Reddy Mogali won the second gold of the day in the men’s 800m. He clocked 1:48.27 seconds, a personal best.
Discus thrower Nishchay narrowly missed the gold and settled for silver with a distance of 60.10m, also his personal best. The women’s 4x100m relay team also won silver with a time of 45.05 seconds. The team members were Kajal Hirabhai Vaja, Bhavana G, Aarti and Nipam.
Gujarat farm labourer’s daughter Kajal Vaja sprints to silver
Gujarat’s rising sprint star Kajal Vaja has once again demonstrated that determination, discipline and relentless hard work can propel athletes from humble beginnings to the international podium.
The 19-year-old sprinter from Chorwad village in Junagadh district played a pivotal role in India’s silver medal-winning performance in the women’s 4x100m relay at the 22nd Asian U-20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong on Sunday. Kajal’s achievement is particularly inspiring considering her modest background. Her father, Hirabhai Vaja, works as a farm labourer in coastal Chorwad village in Junagadh district. Despite financial challenges, Kajal remained focused on her athletics career and made significant sacrifices to pursue her sporting ambitions.
Determined to give her best on the track, she took a drop year in Class 12 to focus on her training and preparation for the competition, and her dedication ultimately paid off.
