Three meet records were improved on the opening day of the domestic meet in Chennai
women’s section—on the opening day of 64th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships that got underway here at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Stadium on Wednesday.
Tamil Arasu, 23, rocketed off the blocks and shifted into top gear to outduel his rivals. His gold winning time of 10.22 seconds was better than the previous meet record of 10.27 seconds set by Punjab’s Gurindervir Singh in 2021.
While former national record holder Manikanta Hoblidhar representing Karnataka was second with a time of 10.35 seconds.
The results of the men’s semis, held nearly two hours before the final, gave a glimpse of the podium finish. Going by the timings, it was obvious that the final showdown will be between Arasu and Hoblidhar.
The women’s 100m title went to Tamil Nadu’s experienced sprinter Dhana Lakshmi whose winning time was 11.36 seconds. While teenage sprinting prodigy Abhinaya Rajarajan settled for second place with a time of 11.58 seconds.
Himachal Pradesh distance runner, Seema, also improved meet record on her way to winning gold in women’s 5,000m track race. Her winning time of 15:42.64 seconds was better than the previous time of 15:46.92 seconds set by L Surya in 2017.
Away from the track, Tamil Nadu’s Reegan G improved the meet record on his way to winning gold in the men’s pole vault with a height of 5.20m.
The previous record of 5.11m in the name of S Siva was set in 2023 in Bhubaneswar.
In the women’s 400m semis, Gujarat’s Devyaniba Zala topped the chart with a time of 53.26 seconds.
Racing below 54 seconds in the semis has certainly brighten Devyaniba’s chances of podium finish. But she will have to battle out with seasoned runner like MR Poovamma who finished second in the other semis with a time of 54.52 seconds.
Tamil Nadu’s promising one-lap runner, Vishal TK will be one to watch in the final on Thursday. He posted the best time of 45.78 in the semis.
Results
Men
100m: Tamil Arasu (Tamil Nadu) 10.22 seconds (meet record. previous record of 10.27 seconds was set by Gurindervir Singh in 2021), Manikanta Hoblidhar (Karnataka) 10.35 seconds, Ragul Kumar (10.40 seconds).
10,000m: Abhishek Pal (Uttar Pradesh) 30:56.64, Shivaji Parashu (Karnataka) 30:57.69, Shivam (Uttar Pradesh) 30:59.14.
Pole vault: Reegan G (Tamil Nadu) 5.20m (meet record. previous record of 5.11m by S Siva in 2023 in Bhubaneswar), M Gowtham (Tamil Nadu) 5.20m, Kamal L (Tamil Nadu) 5m.
Women
100m: Dhana Lakshmi (Tamil Nadu) 11.36 seconds, Abhinaya Rajarajan (Tamil Nadu) 11.58 seconds, Sneha SS (Kerala) 11.61 seconds.
5000m: Seema (Himachal Pradesh) 15:42.64 seconds (meet record. previous record 15:46.92 set by L Surya in 2017), Ravina Gayakwad (Maharashtra) 16:53.24 seconds, Sanghamitra M (Jharkhand) 18:04.36 seconds.
Triple jump: Sandra Babu (Kerala) 13.20m, Aleena Saji (Kerala) 13.15m, Niharika Vashisht (Punjab) 13.09m.
Hammer Throw: Tanya Chaudhary (Uttar Pradesh) 63.91m, Divya Shandilya (Odisha) 59.58m. Maya (Rajasthan) 57.57m
ENDS
