India Shines at Asian Athletics Championships with Multiple Gold Medals

India's Stellar Performance at the Championships

The Indian athletics team had another remarkable day at the Asian Athletics Championships held in Gumi, South Korea, on Friday. Following their impressive haul of three gold medals the previous day, the athletes continued to shine, securing three additional golds on the penultimate day of the event. This brings India's total medal count to 18, comprising eight golds, seven silvers, and three bronzes.

Gulveer Singh's Historic Win

Among the gold medalists was Gulveer Singh, a distinguished distance runner and bronze medalist from the Hangzhou Asian Games. The 26-year-old Army athlete clinched the gold in the 5,000m race, marking him as the first Indian to win two gold medals at the 26th Asian Championships.

He had previously secured the 10,000m gold on the opening day, as reported by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

"My aim in Gumi was to secure first place in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events. I am thrilled to have accomplished my goal in this continental competition," Singh expressed.

Tough Competition in the Men's 5,000m

The men's 5,000m race saw an intense competition as it approached the final laps. Singh, along with Kieran Tuntivate from Thailand and Japan's Nagiya Mori, were tightly packed as they neared the finish. Singh's strategic move at the bell allowed him to surge ahead, ultimately crossing the finish line first with a time of 13:24.77, surpassing the previous Asian Championships record of 13:34.47 set by Al Garni Mohamed of Qatar in 2015.

"My next target is to perform well at the World Championships in September in Japan," he added.

Tuntivate finished closely behind in second place with a time of 13:24.97, while Mori secured third with 13:25.06. India's Abhishek Pal came in sixth with a time of 13:33.51.

Parul Chaudhary's Silver Medal Achievement

In the women's 3,000m steeplechase, Parul Chaudhary also delivered an impressive performance, setting a new national record of 9:12.96. However, the 30-year-old from Uttar Pradesh had to settle for a silver medal.

"My strategy was to stay close to the leading runner, Norah Jeruto Tanui from Kazakhstan. I gave it my all, but she pulled ahead. Nonetheless, I am pleased to have broken the national record," Parul stated.

Pooja's High Jump Triumph

In a standout performance, 18-year-old high jumper Pooja made headlines by clearing a height of 1.89m, achieving a personal best and securing India's third gold of the day. Although she attempted to clear 1.92m, she was unable to succeed in all three attempts. "It was a great day for me as I am now among the champions at the senior continental level," Pooja remarked.

Nandini Agasara's Contribution to India's Medal Count

Nandini Agasara added another gold to India's tally in the heptathlon. The Indian team is optimistic about increasing their medal count on the final day, with several athletes advancing to the medal rounds in their respective events.

Nithya Gandhe (23.77 seconds) and Jyothi Yarraji (23.74 seconds) both qualified for the women's 200m final, while Vithya Ramraj (56.67 seconds) and Anu R (57.48 seconds) progressed comfortably in the women's 400m hurdles.

Looking Ahead to the Final Day

Middle-distance runners Anu Kumar (1:47.00) and Krishan Kumar (1:48.66) have reached the finals in the men's 800m. Additionally, Twinkle Chaudhary and Pooja have qualified for the women's 800m final, and sprinter Animesh Kujur has advanced to the men's 200m final.

The men's javelin final, scheduled for the last day, is highly anticipated, with Sachin Yadav and Yashvir Singh both qualifying for the medal round. Yadav's best throw in Group B was 79.62m, while Yashvir's best in Group A was 76.67m. Japan's Yuta Sakiyana led Group B with a throw of 81.36m, and Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan dominated Group A with a throw of 86.34m.