Birsa Munda Stadium at Khelgaon of the State Capital became witness to a new national record in the women 100 meter race on Friday.
Star sprinter Dutee Chand broke her own national record during ongoing 59th National Athletic Championship, which is going on at the stadium and Friday is the second day of the fourth day of the mega sports event.
This is another historic day for the ace athlete representing Odisha, completed the race with timing of 11.22 seconds and broke her own record which was 11.24 seconds. Chand inched closer to the Tokyo Olympic target which is 11.15 seconds. She needs to shave off another 0.07 seconds to book her berth for the Olympic Games.
Chand breached her record in semi final of the event and later won the gold medal with timing of 11.25 seconds on the day. Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and former Chief Minister Arjun Munda and ace athlete and former Olympian PT Usha had jointly inaugurated the mega event on Thursday.
Artists from Saraikela presented Chhau Dance on the occasion. Jawans of Sikh Regiment, Ramgarh displayed band on the occasion of inauguration of the mega event.
A total of 740 athletes are representing 31 different teams from across the Country and almost all renowned athletes are participating in the event which is earlier scheduled to be organized in Bengaluru. A total of 253 women athlete and 457 men athletes are participating in the championship including some players from Malaysia.
The event will decide fate of the athletes for Tokyo Olympic 2020.
Almost all star players related to the games are participating gathered in the State Capital to book their berth for Tokyo Olympic 2020 which scheduled to start on July 24 and continue till August 9. Almost all star athlete including Javelin Thrower Anu Rani, Olympian Muhmmad Anas, VK Vishmaya, ace Long Jumper Srishankar, Jinson Jhonson and start Shot Put thrower Tejindar Singh are participating in the championship. The athletes are contesting for a total of gold medals.
Till the time of filing the report not a single athlete from the State have managed won any medal in the mega event. On the concluding day of the event on Sunday Urban and Housing Development Minister of the State CP Singh will be chief guest.
