Aditya Singh Shines at Indian Open as Injuries Impact Stars
The Indian Open, held on Tuesday, was an exciting event for athletics fans. However, with the Federation Cup just days away, many top athletes played it safe. Some events saw surprising results, while others were affected by injuries.
Aditya Singh’s Golden Leap
In the men’s long jump, 23-year-old Aditya Singh stole the show. He won the gold medal with an impressive jump of 7.74m. Aditya was the only Indian to cross the 8m mark last year, and he has started this season strongly. However, he wasn’t fully satisfied with his performance. “I wasn’t happy with how I ran on the runway. If my approach was better, I could have jumped closer to my best or even reached the Asian Championships mark of 8.07m,” he said.
Aditya’s journey in long jump is inspiring. He began his career in 2016 but briefly switched to sprinting. In 2022, he returned to long jump, and his hard work is now paying off. His win at the Indian Open shows he’s a rising star to watch.
Jeswin Aldrin’s Injury Setback
On the other hand, Jeswin Aldrin, a national-record holder, faced a tough day. Competing for the first time since the Paris Olympics, the 24-year-old struggled in the hot conditions. During warm-up, just minutes before the event, Jeswin pulled his hamstring. As a result, he could only manage one valid jump of 7.36m, finishing seventh. The injury and heat made it a challenging day for the talented athlete.
Aditya Negi from Uttarakhand emerges winner in the Boys’ U20 10 Km in the 10th Indian Open Race Walking competition being held in Ranchi.
Here are the medalists –
Gold – Aditya Negi (41:33)
Silver – Babendra Singh (42:17)
Bronze – Himanshu Kumar (43:13) pic.twitter.com/sQYfuOZxZE— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) February 14, 2023
Tajinderpal Singh Toor’s Brave Effort
In the shot put, Tajinderpal Singh Toor claimed the gold medal despite battling an injury. The Olympian recorded a throw of 17.61m but managed only one legal attempt. He committed two fouls and chose not to take his final three throws. Tajinderpal competed because the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) requires athletes to participate in at least one domestic meet before the Federation Cup.
Vithya Ramraj’s Hurdles Victory
Meanwhile, in the women’s 400m hurdles, Vithya Ramraj took the top spot with a time of 56.90s. Though her timing was slower than her best, she outran her competitors. R Anu put up a strong fight, finishing with a time of 57.52s to win silver. Vithya’s performance was a highlight of the day, proving her consistency in the hurdles.
Overall, the Indian Open was a mix of triumphs and challenges. Aditya Singh’s gold medal was a bright moment, showing his potential to shine on bigger stages. However, injuries to athletes like Jeswin Aldrin and Tajinderpal Singh Toor were a reminder of the physical demands of the sport. With the Federation Cup approaching, athletes are now focusing on recovery and preparation.
