National Games
National Games 2025: Pooja, Sawan qualify for Asian C'ships; Ankita wins 3rd medal
Three meet records were broken on the final day of the athletics programme at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand.
Ankita Dhyani.
The exciting and record-breaking athletics programme has come to an end at the 2025 National Games, having three new meet records on the final day in Dehradun, Uttarakhand on Wednesday.
The biggest highlight of the day was Sachin Yadav's record-breaking gold medal in men's javelin throw. He clinched the gold medal with a personal best throw of 84.39m, setting a new meet record.
He now also has the world lead to his name as his best throw of 84.39m is the best by any athlete in the world this season, which is just at the nascent stage. Rohit Yadav (80.47m) and Vikash Sharma (79.33m) clinched the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Olympian Ankita Dhyani continued her impressive run at the Games by winning the women's 5000m gold medal. This was her third medal at the National Games this year, including two gold and a silver medal.
Vithya, Ruchit win 400m hurdles titles
India's star quarter-miler Vithya Ramraj clinched the women's 400m hurdles title whereas Gujarat's youngster Ruchit Mori won the men's 400m title with a new personal best timing of 50.97s.
Vithya, however, missed the chance of winning the second gold medal of the day in a mixed 4x400mm relay event, because Tamil Nadu's second runner had a baton fall which hampered the team's chances despite a good start.
Kerala's Manu TS, Sneha K, Bejoy J, and Ansa Babu clocked 3:25.36 to win the gold medal for the state. Maharashtra and Punjab clinched the silver and bronze medals respectively.
Pooja, Sawan secure Asian C'ships spots
17-year-old high-jumper Pooja continued her dominating performance at the national meets to clinch her second consecutive National Games gold medal for Haryana.
She broke Swapna Barman's National Games record of 1.83m to win the high jump gold medal. With this performance, she booked her spot at the Asian Athletics Championships as she crossed the qualifying mark of 1.83m.
On the other hand, Sawan Barwal won his second goal medal from the games by clinching the men's 5000m title with a new meet record of 13:45.93s. He also qualified for the Asian Championships.
