Shubham Shinde of Kolhapur emerged as the fastest man of the LIC 54th Western Zonal Athletics Meet that culminated on Friday at Divisional Sports Complex, Mankapur.

Shinde of Kolhapur Division bagged the top position in the men’s 100 m race with a timing of 11.95 seconds. He was followed by Shubham Singh of Mumbai Division with a timing of 12.02s.

In the women’s 100m race, Pinky Pawar of Mumbai Division bagged the top slot.

Earlier in the day, international athlete Kalidas Hirve of Pune Division finished the 5000m race with the timing of 15.40.91s while Datta Zodge of Pune Division lived upto the expectation and finished on top in 400m with a timing of 54.85s. In the women’s 400m, international athlete Monica Athare crossed the line with a timing of 1.04.15 minute.

Pallavi Dhatrak, District Sports Officer, was the chief guest of prize distribution ceremony. Pranay Kumar, Chairman, Organising Committee and Sr Divisional Manager, LIC, Nagpur Division, Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Dr Ashok Kapta, chief referees for athletics and volleyball trials, respectively were on the dais. Veerbhadra Rao, Manager (P&IR), Naval Meshram, Manager (NB) DM, Dattatray Salaskar, Member, LIC Sports Promotion Board and Ashok Chandak, Secretary, Organising Committee were also prominently present.

On this occasion, international athletes of LIC, Western Zone, Kalidas Hirwe of Pune Division, Monica and Dheeraj Mishra of Mumbai Division, alongwith one of the top mountaineer of the country, Bhagwan Chawle of Pune Division were felicitated. Also sports achievers of LIC Nagpur Division, Madhuri Gurnule (Athletics), Kiran Makode (Badminton), Pushpa Zade (Athletics), Naval Meshram (Carrom), Mamata Sawane (Athletics) and Mukul Katangale (Volleyball) alongwith Asif Mulla (Volleyball) of Satara Division were felicitated for bringing glory to LIC of India. Neeta Pimple conducted the proceedings alongwith Mamata Sawane while Abhay Naik proposed a vote of thanks.