Bangkok: Indian long-distance runner Abhishek Pal claimed a bronze medal in the men’s 10,000 meter race at the Asian Athletics Championships 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday. This victory marked a significant milestone for Pal, as it was his first international medal for India in a major competition.
Competing under challenging humid conditions at the Suphachalasai National Stadium, Abhishek Pal showcased his endurance and determination, finishing the race with a time of 29:33.26. His impressive performance not only secured the bronze medal but also opened India’s medal account at the Bangkok meet.
The gold medal in the men’s 10,000 meter race went to Ren Tazawa of Japan, who clocked a time of 29:18.44. Shadrack Kimutai Koech of Kazakhstan secured the silver medal with a time of 29:31.63. It was a highly competitive race, and Pal’s commendable effort in claiming the bronze is a testament to his dedication and hard work.
Gulveer Singh, another Indian athlete, also put up a commendable performance, finishing fifth in the 16-man field with a time of 29:53.69. The Indian contingent demonstrated their mettle on the track, with Pal’s podium finish highlighting their potential in long-distance running.
Abhishek Pal’s personal best in the 10,000 meter race stands at 28:54.98, achieved in Gujarat last year. However, India’s national record in the men’s 10,000m event remains at 28:02.89, set by Beijing 2008 Olympian Surendra Singh 15 years ago.
In the women’s javelin throw, Indian athlete Annu Rani narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, finishing fourth with a best attempt of 59.10m. Annu Rani holds India’s national record of 63.82m, set last year, but has yet to surpass the 60m mark this season. Marina Saito of Japan secured the gold medal with a distance of 61.67m, followed closely by reigning Olympic champion Liu Shiying of China with 61.51m. Dilhani Lekamge of Sri Lanka clinched the bronze medal with a personal best of 60.93m.
In the men’s 400 meter event, India’s Muhammed Ajmal and Rajesh Ramesh qualified for the eight-man final, finishing fourth and seventh, respectively, in the semi-finals. Muhammed Ajmal recorded his season-best time of 45.76, while Rajesh Ramesh crossed the finish line in 45.91.
As the Asian Athletics Championships continue, Indian athletes are making their mark in various events. Tejaswin Shankar, the national record holder in the men’s high jump, is currently leading the men’s decathlon event with 4,124 points from five events. Shankar, who also won a bronze medal in his pet event at the Commonwealth Games, has shown versatility by competing in the decathlon since last year.
The remaining events in the men’s decathlon and the men’s 400m final will take place on Thursday, adding more excitement to the ongoing championships. The Asian Championships 2023 will conclude on Sunday, and fans eagerly await further outstanding performances from the Indian contingent as they continue to represent their nation with pride.
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