Ace sprinter Dutee Chand strikes a two-year deal with Puma

Sprinter Dutee Chand has now joined a bunch of eminent professional athletes including champion boxer Mary Kom and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt as she signed up with Puma, popular German sportswear. The endorsement, which is her first association with a reputed brand, will last for two years. Chand will lend her name to a range of custom-made sportswear from the firm to support her efforts to better her performances. Dutee Chand with the Indian national flag The sprinter has represented India in multiple international sporting events. She is the first Indian athlete to win gold in the 100m event at the University Games in Naples. Chand is also the third Indian woman to qualify for the women's 100m event at the Summer Olympics. Last month, she became the first Indian woman track and field athlete to clinch a gold medal in the World University Games by winning the women's 100m dash in Napoli, Italy by clocking 11.32 seconds. She holds the national record of 11.26 seconds.

"This is my very first exclusive brand association and I am thrilled that it is with a company that has worked with legendary athletes like Usain Bolt, the fastest man alive," said Dutee, while speaking to PTI.

"It is great to see PUMA encourage athletes across sporting fields and I am humbled by their trust in me to represent the brand in India. This means a lot to me and I am excited about my association with PUMA," she added.  Abhishek Ganguly, Managing Director PUMA India, said, "Dutee's success is a result of a sheer display of her exceptional athletic capabilities and power on the track. Having rewritten the history of Indian sports in her explosive style, she represents everything we are as a brand."