NEW DELHI: Indian race walkers Manju Rani and Ram Baboo showcased their excellence in the inaugural 35km mixed team event at the Asian Games, securing a bronze medal. The pair, who both hold national records in their respective men’s and women’s events, combined to achieve a commendable time of 5 hours, 51 minutes, and 14 seconds, earning them a well-deserved third place behind China, who clocked 5:16:41, and Japan, with a time of 5:22:11.
The 35km mixed team race walk event, which involves summing up the times of both male and female athletes to determine the medal winners, made its debut at the Asian Games. This event is also set to feature in the 2024 Paris Olympics, reflecting the growing prominence of race walking on the global stage.
India introduced the 35km mixed team event only a couple of years ago, and the success of Manju Rani and Ram Baboo on this platform underlines the nation’s potential in race walking.
Ram Baboo, aged 24, demonstrated his exceptional skills by completing the men’s 35km race walk in a time of 2:42:11, securing a fourth-place finish. His remarkable achievements also include setting a national record in the 35km race walk, with a time of 2:29:56 in March. He further bolstered his credentials by clinching a gold medal at the National Games last year and winning the national championships in February. In August, he represented India at the Budapest World Championships, where he finished in 27th place, a testament to his consistency and determination.
Manju Rani, also 24 years old, has been a standout performer in women’s race walking. She set her national record of 2:57:54 while triumphing at the national race walk championships in February of this year. Additionally, she secured a gold medal at the National Inter-State Championships in June, further solidifying her reputation as one of India’s top race walkers.
The impressive performances of Manju Rani and Ram Baboo in the 35km mixed team event at the Asian Games underscore their dedication and promise in the field of race walking, reflecting India’s emergence as a competitive force in this discipline.
(With PTI inputs)Watch ‘We have already won more medals than last edition’: AFI president Adille Sumariwalla on India’s performance in athletics
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