Tough start for India in Athletics

Indian athletes had a tough start at the World Athletics Championships here on Saturday, with race walkers and middle-distance runners failing to make a mark on the opening day.

In the men’s 35km race walk, Sandeep Kumar managed a 23rd-place finish, clocking 2 hours 39 minutes 15 seconds, well off his personal and season’s best of 2:35:06. The 39-year-old had qualified for the championships at the last moment and struggled under the sweltering hot and humid conditions. Ram Baboo, India’s national record holder with a best of 2:29:56, was disqualified after receiving his fourth red card at the 24km mark, one of six disqualifications in the event. Out of 50 starters, 34 finished, while 10 others failed to complete the grueling distance.

In the women’s 35km race walk, Priyanka Goswami, the national record holder with 2:56:34, finished 24th in a field of 46, timing 3 hours 05 minutes 58 seconds. She spent three and a half minutes in the penalty box after receiving her third red card but managed to complete the race. One competitor was disqualified, and seven others did not finish.

On the track, Pooja competed in the women’s 1500m heats but finished 11th in heat two with a time of 4:13.75, below her personal best of 4:09.52. She will look to improve her performance in the 800m scheduled for September 18.

The opening day underscored the challenges Indian athletes face in global competition, especially under extreme conditions, highlighting the gap they need to bridge to compete with the world’s elite.