Ranchi: India began its campaign at the 4th South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships in emphatic fashion, bagging three gold medals on Day 1 at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Football Stadium.
Prince Kumar opened India’s account with a superb gold in the Men’s 5000m, clocking 14:22.17 seconds. Sanjana Singh led an Indian sweep in the Women’s 5000m, finishing ahead of teammate Seema for a 1-2 finish.
Flagbearer Samardeep Singh Gill further lifted India’s tally with gold in the Men’s Shot Put, producing a commanding throw of 19.59 metres. Fellow Indian Ravi Kumar claimed silver, while Sri Lanka’s Mithunraj took bronze.
In the Women’s Shot Put, India’s Dinesh V won silver, narrowly missing gold to Sri Lanka’s Ashmika Keshan by just 5 cm.
With these strong early results, India announced its intent to dominate the championship both on track and in the field.
The evening saw a dazzling opening ceremony that celebrated Jharkhand’s tribal traditions and sports culture. Nearly 500 performers enthralled a packed crowd with dances and folk music under the theme “Culture Meets Courage.”
As athletes from South Asia paraded to loud cheers, the loudest applause came for the Indian contingent led by flagbearer Samardeep Gill. The event marked Jharkhand’s first international athletics hosting in nearly 15 years, promising three days of top-class regional competition.
With inputs from IANS