Patience and determination finally brought success to Odisha sprint marvel Dutee Chand as she came from behind to win the bronze medal in women`s 200m event with a season best time of 23.24 seconds on the last of the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships (AAC) at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar today. 

The bronze medal came as a big consolation for Dutee, who earlier finished fifth in 100m final, clocking 11.44 seconds. The final proved to be an anti-climax for Dutee, who better her own National Record twice, clocking 11.28 and 11.26 seconds in the hits and semifinals respectively in this championships.

Besides the 200m bronze by Dutee, India bagged one gold and three silver medals on the final day to finish with a total of 18 medals. PU Chithra retained the women’s 1500m gold, clocking 4:16.56. By virtue of winning gold medal, she also qualified for World Championships.

Ajay Kumar Saroj secured the silver medal in men`s 1500m with a season best time of 3:43.18. India claimed another silver medal in women’s 4x400m relay, clocking a season best 3:32.21s. Runners were Prachi, MR Poovamma, Saritaben Gayakwad and VK Vismaya.

The third silver medal for India came in men`s 4x400m relay with Kunhu Muhammed, Jeevan KS, Mohammad Anas and Rajiv Arokia clocking 3:03.28.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Dutee Chand celebrates her 200m bronze medal success in Doha on 24th April, 2019.