Odisha ace Dutee Chand lived up to her reputation as the fastest woman of India when she set a New National Record, clocking 11.28 seconds in women’s 100m hits of the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships (AAC) at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar today.

In fact, Dutee improved on her own time of 11.29 seconds, which she had set in the Inter-State meet in Guwahati last year. She turned out to be the the fastest qualifier for the semifinals, which would take place tomorrow.

India won two silver and three bronze medals on the opening day of the championships. Parul Chaudhary first medal for India with a bronze in women’s 5000m event, clocking 15:36.03. Later in the day, Annu Rani bagged silver medal in women`s javelin throw with an effort of 60.22m.

Avinash Sable grabbed the silver medal in men`s 3000m steeplechase with a time of 8:30.19. MR Poovamma secured the other bronze in women`s 400m with a time of 53.21 seconds. Murli Kumar Gavit claimed bronze in the men`s 10000m with a personal best time of 28:38.34.

But India’s campaign suffered a blow on the opening day as sprint sensation Hima Das retired from women’s 400m hits after suffering a back muscle spasm.

Around 1000 athletes from 45 countries are participating in this continental championships, which offers a total of 186 medals in 21 men’s events, 21 women’s events in addition to a mixed relay event that makes its debut. Two athletes from Odisha are representing India in this championship. The other one is heptathlete Purnima Hembram.

Odisha hosted the 22nd edtition of the championships at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar from July 6 to 9, 2017 and India created history by topping the medals tally for the first time with 12 gold, five silver and 12 bronze.
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PHOTO: Dutee Chand on her way to a New National Record at the Asian Athletics Championships in Doha on 21st April, 2019.