Reliance Foundation Athletes Shine at National Junior Athletics Championships 2024

Bhubaneswar: The 39th National Junior Athletics Championships concluded on a high note at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, with Reliance Foundation’s young athletes delivering stellar performances. The team clinched 12 medals, including eight golds, two silvers, and two bronzes, while also setting two new meet records during the tournament held from December 7 to 11.

On the final day, Reliance Foundation athletes showcased their dominance, claiming four gold medals in the evening session. Among the standout performers was Ommkar Prasad Nanda, who secured the top spot in the U18 men’s shot put with an impressive throw of 19.96m. DM Jayaram added to his remarkable tally with a victory in the men’s 200m, clocking 21.27 seconds, completing a hat-trick of golds. Sakshi Chavan also impressed, winning the women’s 200m in a meet-record time of 24.14 seconds, while Laxmipriya Kisan triumphed in the women’s 800m with a time of 2:14.44.

Jayaram, who also secured gold in the 100m and was part of the Odisha men’s 4x100m relay team that set a meet record of 41.10 seconds, expressed his elation at achieving the triple feat. He described the achievement as particularly special, given it was his last year in the U20 category and took place in front of his home state crowd. Reflecting on his journey, he credited the Odisha government and Reliance Foundation for their support, particularly in providing access to top coaches and support staff. Jayaram now turns his focus to the National Games and World University Games next year.

Sakshi Chavan delivered an equally commanding performance, taking gold in both the 100m and 200m events. She equaled her personal best of 11.86 seconds in the 100m final and demonstrated her class in the 200m with a dominant display. Astik Pradhan, another standout, secured silver in the 400m with a personal best of 46.97 seconds and played a pivotal role in the relay team’s success.

The championships also saw other impressive performances. Sandeep Gond claimed gold in the men’s 110m hurdles with a time of 14.02 seconds, narrowly edging out his competitors. Sabita Toppo continued her consistent form by earning silver in the women’s 100m hurdles with a time of 14.17 seconds. Rishabh Giri secured bronze in the men’s javelin throw with a best effort of 69.83 meters, while Ani Salbam won bronze in the U16 men’s 600m with a time of 1:22.50.

Head Coach Martin Owens praised the athletes for their dedication and hard work, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure. He commended Jayaram for his stamina and consistency across three demanding events and lauded Sakshi for her exceptional performances. Owens noted that the relay team’s success was the result of focused preparation in recent weeks, showcasing the synergy between individual talent and team effort.