On the third day of the Asian Track Cycling Championships, Indian cyclists in a variety of disciplines excelled. The event was held on a bicycle track in New Delhi, where the athletes showed exceptional talent and dedication.
In the Junior Women’s division, Sarita Kumari demonstrated her skill by winning the Bronze medal in the Final race with a time of 36.966 seconds. Kumari had previously demonstrated her abilities in the qualifying round, clocking in at 36.912 seconds, securing her spot in the finals, where she continued to excel.
“It’s an incredible feeling to clinch the Bronze medal in the Junior Women’s category at the Asian Track Cycling Championships. The journey to this moment has been filled with hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of my coaches and teammates. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my country on this prestigious stage and am thrilled to have made India proud. This medal is not just mine; it belongs to everyone who has believed in me and supported me along the way. I am determined to continue pushing my limits and striving for excellence in the sport of cycling.” said Sarita after winning the commendable Bronze medal.
Meanwhile, Meenakshi proved her strength and determination by setting a new national record in the Women’s Senior Individual Pursuit. With a fantastic pace of 3:42.515s, she not only beat her own record but also stood out despite finishing 4th in the qualifying round. Although Meenakshi nearly lost out on the bronze medal, her performance was impressive, setting a new standard for Indian cyclists.
Arshad Shaikh and Aryavardhan Cheelampalli, two Indian cyclists, shown their abilities and commitment at the Para Track Cycling events. Arshad Shaikh won the Gold medal in the 1km Time Trial C2 category, clocking 1:25.753s and collecting his second Asian gold medal. Aryavardhan Cheelampalli won the silver medal in the same event with a time of 1:41.071 seconds, adding to India’s medal tally.
Jyoti Gaderiya, a para women’s cyclist, also won gold in the C2 category 500m time trial in 52.450 seconds.
Tomorrow, 10 final events will take place, with Indian competitors vying for first place.
Bhumika, a junior women’s cyclist, also performed well in the Omnium event that day. Bhumika placed fourth after three races, but she lost the medal in the third race, a 15-kilometer point race. Bhumika finished fifth in the Women’s Junior Omnium Race, scoring 109 points. Yumi Hyeon of Korea won the medal with 136 points. Malaysia and Uzbekistan won silver and bronze with 128 and 123 points, respectively. The Women Junior Omnium race is a combination of 4 races (Scratch 5km, Tempo Race 5km, Elimination, and 15km Points Race).
On the third day of the championships, the Indian delegation exhibited great talent and determination, highlighting the country’s cycling strength. With several medals secured and excellent performances across categories, India anticipates more success in the remaining days of the competition.