THE duo of Samit Tong and Harshal Joge excelled as Nagpur district players dominated second and concluding day of the open athletics selection trials for boys and girls under the age of 20 to select Maharashtra state team for national championships to be held under the auspices of the Athletics Federation of India. The event was organised on synthetic track of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University. Nagpur’s Tong won the first place in the boys’ 3000 metres race, beating all his competitors from Maharashtra. He clocked 08 minutes 39 seconds. On Sunday, he had won the first place in the 3000m steeplechase race. As expected, Umred’s Joge proved his superiority by clocking 01 minutes 54 seconds in the 800 metres race. He had recently won gold medal in the 800m race representing Maharashtra in the Khelo India Youth Games held in Patna, Bihar. At end of the competition, the players were honoured by Prof Sanjay Bhende, President of Maitri Parivar Sanstha. Dr Dhananjay Welukar, Divisional Director of Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, was present as the chief guest.

 

The programme was presided over by Gurudev Nagrale, Vice-President of Maharashtra Athletics Association. National medallist Neha Dhabale was present on the stage as the special guest. Representative of Maharashtra State Association Rakesh Save, Chairman of District Athletics Association Umesh Naidu, Chairman of Organising Committee Shekhar Suryawanshi, Technical Manager of the competition Dr Vibekanand Singh and other dignitaries were present on this occasion. Dr Sharad Suryawanshi made introductory remarks. Archana Kottewar conducted the proceedings. Ramchandra Wani proposed a vote of thanks. On this occasion, Bhende also felicitated the national umpires of the Athletics Federation of India and the Chief Technical Officers appointed by the Maharashtra Athletics Association for this competition — Sunil Shivale, Shekhar Khudale, Dr Jaywant Mane and Raman Mishra with mementoes. RESULTS OF FINALS Men’s 10000m Run: Swapnil Shrikan Kochale 32:32.97; Manoj Kumar 32:47.28; Neeraj Jeetendr Nishad 34:00.84. Men’s 3000m Run: Samit Ravindra Tong 8:39.09; Rohit Shivaji Vaidya 8:39.50; Harshad Balvant Kadam 8:39.85.

 

Women’s 3000m Run: Mamata Sadanand Patil 10:11.19, Priyanka Lalsu Oksa 10:12.75, Sanmai Rahul Shinde 10:13.39. Men’s Triple Jump: Bhushan Shamrao Shinde 14.83m; Nitin Madanraoj Dorkhande 13.35m; Aryan Devidas Jambhule 12.83m; 800m Run: Harshal Dharmen Joge 1:54.02, Nakul Mangesh Godse 1:54.80, Siddhant Santos Bhosale 1:56.74. Women’s 800m Run: Vedashree Vinod Lonari 2:21.83; Arya Gowardhan Kore 2:26.85; Sakina Hamid Idrasi 2:36.47. Women’s triple Jump: Madhura Vinod Khambe 10.89m; Gayatri Nagendr Kasulla 10.74m; Sandhya Santosh Rathod 9.42m. Men’s 200m Run: Rudra Sachin Shinde 21.99; Madhav Darakh 22.38; Vedant Jitendra Sananse 22.43. Women’s 200m Run: Divyangi Krushn Lande 25.63; Runali Eknath Patil 27.32; Snehal Vinod Hirekodi 29.66. Men’s Decathlon: Shriram Rahul Thite 5194, Syed Sameer Raja 5162, Neel Uttam Kasar 4737.