Ranchi (Jharkhand), Oct 25 (NationPress) Prince Kumar, Sanjana Singh, and Samardeep Gill achieved remarkable success by winning gold medals, propelling India into a triumphant start at the 4th South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships held at Birsa Munda Football Stadium, Ranchi. The opening day saw India clinch multiple medals, including three prestigious golds.

In the Men’s 5000m event, Prince Kumar delivered an exceptional performance, finishing with a time of 14:22.17 seconds to earn the first gold of the championship. Currently a constable with Uttar Pradesh Police, Prince displayed extraordinary endurance, finishing ahead of Sri Lanka’s Vakshan Vicknaraj, who secured silver with a time of 14:23.21 seconds. The bronze medal was awarded to Mukesh Bahadur Pal from Nepal, who clocked 14:25.25 seconds.

India further showcased its prowess in the Women’s 5000m race, where Sanjana Singh took home the gold, followed closely by her teammate Seema, achieving a remarkable 1-2 finish for India.

Continuing the golden streak, Samardeep Singh Gill, who was the flagbearer for Team India during the opening ceremony, delivered an impressive throw of 19.59 metres to win gold in the Men’s Shot Put. Indian athlete Ravi Kumar finished in second place with a throw of 17.95 metres, while Mithunraj from Sri Lanka captured the bronze.

In the Women’s Shot Put, Dinesh V from India narrowly missed out on gold, securing silver with a throw of 16.14 metres, just 5 cm short of Sri Lanka’s Ashmika Keshan, who won gold.

With a string of impressive performances across various events, India declared its intention to dominate the championships, reinforcing its status as a formidable force in regional athletics.

The evening festivities at the 4th South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships commenced with great enthusiasm at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium, Morabadi, Ranchi, marking Jharkhand’s return as the host of an international athletics event after nearly 15 years. The opening ceremony transformed into a vibrant celebration of Jharkhand’s culture and sporting spirit, seamlessly blending tradition with athletic pride.

The stadium was filled to capacity, with thousands of spectators eager to witness the region's athletic stars. The march-past of participating nations elicited cheers from the crowd, but the atmosphere erupted into thunderous applause when the Indian contingent entered, proudly waving the Tricolour. Leading Team India was Samardeep Singh Gill, who carried the national flag as the flagbearer.

A highlight of the evening's cultural program featured nearly 500 artists from across Jharkhand, showcasing the state’s rich tribal and folk heritage under the theme “Culture Meets Courage.” The colorful dances, rhythmic drumming, and live folk performances captivated the audience, embodying the true essence of Jharkhand’s traditions.