In a stellar display of athleticism, Odisha emerged triumphant at the 22nd National Junior (U-20) Federation Athletics Championship held at Lucknow’s SAI Regional Centre on March 10. The state’s contingent clinched a total of seven medals, comprising three gold, two silver, and two bronze, showcasing their prowess on the track and in field events. Standing out among the star performers was sprinter Dondapati Jayaram, who secured a remarkable double victory in the men’s 100m and 200m events. Jayaram blazed through the competition with impressive timings of 10.67 seconds and 21.59 seconds, respectively, solidifying his dominance on the sprinting circuit. His exceptional performance also earned him a coveted spot to represent India in the 200m category at the upcoming 21st Asian Junior (U-20) Athletics Championships to be held in Dubai next month.
Adding to Odisha’s triumph, Bapi Hansda delivered a stunning performance in the men’s 400m, seizing the gold medal with a meet record time of 46.90 seconds. Hansda’s stellar run not only secured his place in the Asian Junior Championships but also earned him a spot in the prestigious World Junior Athletics Championships, underlining his potential as a rising star in the track and field arena. Meanwhile, Mahendra Santa and Sabita Toppo showcased their talent by clinching silver medals in the men’s 100m and women’s 100m hurdles events, respectively. Santa exhibited remarkable speed with a timing of 10.78 seconds, while Toppo displayed exceptional agility, clocking in at 14.24 seconds. Toppo’s outstanding performance also earned her a well-deserved qualification for the upcoming Asian Junior Championships, further cementing her status as a promising athlete.
Completing Odisha’s medal haul were Laxmipriya Kisan and Swagat Behera, who secured bronze medals in the women’s 800m and men’s triple jump events, respectively. Kisan showcased her endurance and speed, crossing the finish line in 2 minutes 11.01 seconds, while Behera exhibited impressive athleticism, clearing a distance of 14.71 meters in the triple jump event. It is noteworthy that all seven medal winners hail from the Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High Performance Centre, underscoring the state’s commitment to nurturing and developing young talent in athletics. Their remarkable achievements at the national level not only bring glory to Odisha but also serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.
In a stellar display of athleticism, Odisha emerged triumphant at the 22nd National Junior (U-20) Federation Athletics Championship held at Lucknow’s SAI Regional Centre on March 10. The state’s contingent clinched a total of seven medals, comprising three gold, two silver, and two bronze, showcasing their prowess on the track and in field events. Standing out among the star performers was sprinter Dondapati Jayaram, who secured a remarkable double victory in the men’s 100m and 200m events. Jayaram blazed through the competition with impressive timings of 10.67 seconds and 21.59 seconds, respectively, solidifying his dominance on the sprinting circuit. His exceptional performance also earned him a coveted spot to represent India in the 200m category at the upcoming 21st Asian Junior (U-20) Athletics Championships to be held in Dubai next month.
Adding to Odisha’s triumph, Bapi Hansda delivered a stunning performance in the men’s 400m, seizing the gold medal with a meet record time of 46.90 seconds. Hansda’s stellar run not only secured his place in the Asian Junior Championships but also earned him a spot in the prestigious World Junior Athletics Championships, underlining his potential as a rising star in the track and field arena. Meanwhile, Mahendra Santa and Sabita Toppo showcased their talent by clinching silver medals in the men’s 100m and women’s 100m hurdles events, respectively. Santa exhibited remarkable speed with a timing of 10.78 seconds, while Toppo displayed exceptional agility, clocking in at 14.24 seconds. Toppo’s outstanding performance also earned her a well-deserved qualification for the upcoming Asian Junior Championships, further cementing her status as a promising athlete.
Completing Odisha’s medal haul were Laxmipriya Kisan and Swagat Behera, who secured bronze medals in the women’s 800m and men’s triple jump events, respectively. Kisan showcased her endurance and speed, crossing the finish line in 2 minutes 11.01 seconds, while Behera exhibited impressive athleticism, clearing a distance of 14.71 meters in the triple jump event. It is noteworthy that all seven medal winners hail from the Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High Performance Centre, underscoring the state’s commitment to nurturing and developing young talent in athletics. Their remarkable achievements at the national level not only bring glory to Odisha but also serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.
