Chennai: Athletes from the Odisha-Reliance Foundation (RF) Athletics High Performance Centre (HPC) delivered stellar performances at the SAFF Junior Athletics Championships in Chennai, capturing a total of five medals. DM Jayaram emerged as a standout competitor, securing two medals, while Sabita Toppo set a new personal best in her event.
Jayaram clinched bronze in the men’s 100m sprint and silver in the men’s 4x100m relay. In the relay, he was joined by Mahendra Santa, another talented athlete from the Odisha-RF HPC. Despite recovering from dengue, Santa contributed significantly to the team’s performance.
Sabita Toppo dazzled in the women’s 100m hurdles, where she earned a silver medal with an impressive display of speed and technique. Additionally, Laxmipriya Kisan secured silver in the women’s 800m, clocking a time of 2:10.87, despite being a late addition to the event.
Impressive Performances and Personal Bests
Martin Owens, Head Coach of the Odisha-RF HPC, praised the athletes’ performances, noting the high level of competition they faced, particularly the Sri Lankan sprinters who had also competed in the Junior World Championships. Owens highlighted Jayaram’s exceptional race, calling it his best of the season.
“Jayaram and Mahendra ran exceptionally well in the 4x100m relay, and Mahendra’s future performances will improve as he fully recovers. Laxmi performed admirably despite the short notice. However, Sabita’s performance was the highlight; her time of 13.96s was a personal best and under the previous SAFF junior record,” Owens said.
Transformative Impact of Odisha-RF HPC
Jayaram expressed his gratitude for the support received from the Odisha-RF HPC, acknowledging the transformative impact it has had on his athletic career. “Joining the High Performance Centre has been life-changing. The training I received was unparalleled, and winning medals at an international level is a dream come true,” Jayaram said.
The Odisha-RF HPC is a collaborative initiative between the Odisha Government and the Reliance Foundation, focused on elevating the standards of athletics in the state and nurturing local talent to achieve national and international success.
Future Prospects
The athletes’ performances underscore the effectiveness of the HPC’s training programs and the potential for future successes on larger stages. With continued support and development, the Odisha-RF HPC is poised to contribute significantly to Indian athletics, preparing young athletes for competitive events and inspiring future generations.
