Athletics
Asian U23 Athletics C'ships: Indian 4x400m mixed relay team bags India's first gold medal
India clinched five medals on the first day of the inaugural edition of the U23 Continental Championships in China.
Indian 4x400m mixed relay team bags gold medal at Asian U23 Championships. (Photo Credits: Weizan.cn)
Indian athletes made a solid start to their campaign, winning five medals on day 1 of the Asian U23 Athletics Championships in Ordos, China, on Thursday.
The Indian 4x400m mixed relay quartet of Astik Pradhan, Sandramol Sabu, Setu Mishra and Shravani Sangle bagged the first-ever gold medal for India.
They clocked a solid time of 3:18.64s to edge out hosts China (3:18.74s) in a photo finish. The Philippines bagged the bronze medal with a time of 3:25.28s.
Double Podium in 5,000m
Indian distance runners Shivaji Parashuram and Vinod Singh also gave a good account of themselves by winning silver and bronze in the men’s 5,000m.
Parashuram clocked 14:08.19s while Singh's bronze-winning time was 14.23.57s. Japan’s Rui Suzuki clinched the gold medal with a time of 14:01.24s.
Meanwhile, Prachi Ankush Devkar and Bhartpreet Singh won bronze medals in women's 3,000m steeplechase and men's discus throw events, respectively.
Prachi clocked 10:32.69s to finish third behind the two Chinese runners, while Bhartpreet confirmed a medal with a throw of 52.91m on his fifth attempt.
On the other hand, Nitika Akare (Women's Pole Vault) and Mohammed Muhassin (Men's Triple Jump) finished in 4th and 5th positions, respectively.