Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s rising sprint star, Dondapati Jayaram, thrilled the home crowd on Sunday evening by claiming the men’s Under-20 100m gold at the 39th National Junior Athletics Championship held at the iconic Kalinga Stadium.
The 19-year-old clocked an impressive 10.50 seconds, setting a new personal best in a spectacular display of speed and determination. The victory was a momentous milestone for Jayaram, who has previously showcased his talent as part of the Indian 4x100m relay teams that won bronze medals at the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships in both 2023 and 2024.
Jayaram’s gold-winning run was followed by strong performances from Maharashtra’s athletes. Laukik Melge secured the silver medal, while Harsh Raut clinched the bronze, making it a competitive race till the finish line.
Medals for the U-20 men’s 100m race were presented by B.K. Swain, Additional Secretary of the Department of Sports and Youth Services (DSYS), Odisha, and renowned Odisha Olympian Anuradha Biswal, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
In the women’s U-20 100m final, Tamil Nadu’s Abhinaya Rajarajan claimed the gold medal with a stunning time of 11.66 seconds, equalling Indian sprinter Dutee Chand’s national record in the process. Rajarajan’s performance solidified her status as one of the country’s brightest sprinting talents.
The championship not only highlighted the next generation of Indian track stars but also reaffirmed Bhubaneswar’s reputation as a hub for fostering athletic excellence.