Did Animesh Kujur Break the National Record to Win Bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Animesh Kujur broke the national record in the men’s 200m final.
- Vithya Ramraj secured a bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles.
- India's medal tally at the championships reached 19.
- Kujur's performance marks a significant moment in his athletics career.
- Both athletes showcased India's growing prowess in athletics.
Gumi (South Korea), May 31 (NationPress) The medal count for India at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships saw a remarkable rise on Saturday as sprinter Animesh Kujur achieved a record-setting performance in the men’s 200m final, securing a bronze medal. Meanwhile, Vithya Ramraj also clinched bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles.
In a breathtaking demonstration of speed and resolve, 21-year-old Kujur clocked an impressive 20.32 seconds, surpassing his previous national record of 20.40 seconds established earlier this year. Battling against formidable competitors, Kujur's late stride in the final meters secured him third place, trailing behind Japan’s Towa Uzawa, who won gold with a time of 20.12 seconds, and Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Abdu I Atafi, who took silver with a time of 20.31 seconds.
This bronze medal signifies a pivotal moment in Kujur’s emerging career. His outstanding performance not only earned him a podium finish but also solidified his reputation as India’s new hope in the 200m sprint on an international level. With this achievement, India's total medal count at the championship increased to 19, including an impressive eight gold medals.
On the women’s front, Asian Games medallist Vithya Ramraj maintained her strong performance by securing bronze in the 400m hurdles. The 26-year-old from Tamil Nadu recorded a time of 56.46 seconds in a fiercely contested race, where China’s Mo Jiadie narrowly defeated Bahrain’s Oluwakemi Adekoya for gold, finishing in 55.31 seconds. Adekoya settled for silver at 55.32 seconds.
India’s Anu Raghavan, who also competed in the women’s 400m hurdles final, finished seventh with a time of 57.46 seconds. In the women’s 200m final, Jyoti Yarraji, fresh from her gold victory in the 100m hurdles, placed fifth with a time of 23.47 seconds, while Nithya Gandhe finished seventh at 23.90 seconds.