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Sahil Upsets Favorites to Win Gold; Ravina Claims Women's Title at Indian Open Race Walk

Punjab's Sahil produced an upset victory in the men's 21km race walk, holding off experienced challenger Servin Sebastian to claim gold. In the women's event, Haryana's Ravina edged out Munita Prajapati and Mansi Negi to secure the title. The competition also saw Tushar Panwar break his own U20 national record in the 5km event. Several prominent athletes, including Olympian Paramjeet Singh Bisht, competed in the event.

Key Points: Indian Open Race Walk: Sahil, Ravina Win 21km Gold Medals

  • Sahil wins men's 21km gold in thrilling finish
  • Ravina edges younger rivals for women's title
  • Tushar Panwar breaks U20 national record
  • Paris Olympian Paramjeet Singh Bisht finishes fourth
2 min read

Punjab's Sahil upsets fancied race walkers to clinch gold in men's 21km; Haryana's Ravina bags women's title

Punjab's Sahil upsets favorites to win men's 21km race walk gold. Haryana's Ravina clinches the women's title. Results and highlights from the competition.

"Sahil, 24, had enough in the tank to hold off the challenge of experienced race walker like Servin Sebastian. - Competition Report"

Chandigarh, Feb 22

Punjab's race walker Sahil grabbed the opportunity to stay ahead of his more fancied rivals to finish first in the men's half marathon walk on the final day of the 13th edition of the Indian Open Race Walk Competition here on Sunday.

In a thrilling finish, Sahil, 24, had enough in the tank to hold off the challenge of experienced race walker like Servin Sebastian (Tamil Nadu) to win the gold medal with a time of 1:25:48.00.

Servin Sebastian settled for silver with a time of 1:25:50.00. Bronze went to Hardeep of Haryana whose finishing time was 1:26:03.00.

Paris Olympian Paramjeet Singh Bisht, representing Uttarakhand, finished fourth (1:26:07.00). Olympian and former national record holder over 20km, Akshdeep Singh of Punjab, finished seventh. His time was 1:27:37.00.

Another prominent athlete, Vikash Singh from Delhi, finished 10th. He clocked 1:30:41.00. Suraj Panwar of Uttarakhand didn't finish the race.

The women's 21km title went to Haryana's experienced race walker Ravina. The 29 years old edged past her two younger rivals-24 years old Munita Prajapati of Uttar Pradesh and 23 years old Manis Negi of Uttarakhand to take home the gold medal with a time of 1:39:15.00.

Munita Prajapati took silver with a time of 1:39:26.00. Bronze went to Mansi Negi. She clocked 1:42:58.00.

Haryana's promising teenager and World U20 medallist, Aarti, who has graduated to senior level finished fourth with a time of 1:43:15.00.

The competition was equally exciting in the U20 men and women's group. Tushar Panwar of Uttarakhand, winner of gold in men's U20 5km, clocked 19:59.00 to better his own U20 national record of 20:07.00 set last year.

Rajasthan's Manisha was winner of women's U20 5km gold. Her winning time was 23:24.00.

Results:

Men: 21km half marathon: Sahil (Punjab) 1:25:48.00, Servin Sebastian (Tamil Nadu) 1:25:50.00, Hardeep (Haryana) 1:26:03.00.

Women: 21km half marathon: Ravina (Haryana) 1:39:15.00, Munita Prajapati (Uttar Pradesh) 1:39:26.00, Mansi Negi (Uttarakhand) 1:42:58.00

Men U20: 5km: Tushar Panwar (Uttarakhand) 19:59.00 (improved his own U20 national record of 20:07.00 set last year), Himanshu Panwar (Uttarakhand) 20:08.00, Praveen (Rajasthan) 20:12.00.

Women U20: 5km: Manisha (Rajasthan) 23:24.00, Yogita (Haryana) 23:49.00, Simran Gusain (Uttarakhand) 23:58.00.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Ravina (Haryana)
So happy to see Ravina win gold! At 29, she showed the younger athletes what experience and perseverance can do. Haryana's women athletes are truly on another level. Congratulations to her and also to Aarti for a strong senior debut.
S
Sarah B
The depth in Indian race walking is impressive. So many athletes within seconds of each other in the men's race. Tushar Panwar breaking his own U20 national record is a huge sign for the future. The competition seems very healthy.
V
Vikram M
A bit concerned about some of the big names finishing outside the top 3. Akshdeep Singh at 7th and Vikash Singh at 10th? Hope they are focusing on peaking for the bigger events and this was just part of their training cycle.
P
Priya S
Uttarakhand is producing some serious talent! Tushar and Himanshu Panwar going 1-2 in U20, and Mansi Negi getting bronze in women's. Great to see the sport spreading beyond the traditional powerhouses of Punjab and Haryana.
M
Michael C
The time difference in the men's race is astonishing. From gold to 4th place is less than 20 seconds over 21km! This level of competition is exactly what Indian athletics needs to push everyone to be better. Well done to all athletes.

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