Gurindervir Singh’s Commonwealth Games Exit
Gurindervir Singh, representing India, did not advance to the semifinals of the men’s 100m event at the Commonwealth Games. He finished 28th overall in the heats, clocking a time of 10.39 seconds. Only the top 17 athletes from the heats were able to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Singh’s performance in Glasgow fell short of his national record of 10.09 seconds, which he established earlier in the year at the Federation Cup in Ranchi. At that event, he became the first Indian runner to complete the 100m in under 10.10 seconds. His time of 10.39 seconds in the Commonwealth Games heats was also below his personal best.
Despite a promising start in Heat 4, where he competed from lane five, Singh was unable to maintain his pace through the final metres. He ran alongside Jamaica’s Rohan Watson in the initial stages of the race. However, Watson surged ahead in the last 30-35 metres, ultimately winning the heat with a time of 10.13 seconds. While Singh finished second in his heat, his time was not sufficient for a semifinal spot.
The race took place with a legal tailwind. Seven sprinters had received automatic byes into the semifinals, joining the 17 qualifiers from the opening round.
Other Indian Athletes’ Performances
In other events at the Commonwealth Games, Gyaneshwari Yadav secured a silver medal in the women’s 53kg weightlifting event. She achieved a personal-best total of 199kg, comprising an 88kg snatch and a 111kg clean and jerk. Following her achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Yadav.
Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam is another Indian athlete competing in weightlifting, specifically in the women’s 58kg final. In the snatch discipline of her event, Devi completed her attempts with a lift of 87kg. She successfully cleared 83kg on her first snatch attempt, followed by 85kg on her second, showing improved rhythm. Her final snatch attempt at 87kg was also successful, providing her with a base heading into the clean and jerk, which is considered her stronger discipline.
In the women’s 58kg snatch standings, Nigeria’s Rafiatu Folashade Lawal set new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records with a lift of 103kg. Canada’s Ann Sophie Taschereau recorded 94kg, while Devi’s 87kg placed her among other competitors like Eliza Pratt of England, who also lifted 87kg.
Advancements in Athletics and Swimming
Several Indian athletes have advanced in their respective disciplines. In athletics, Murali Sreeshankar and Lokesh Sathyanathan both qualified for the men’s long jump final. Sreeshankar achieved a best jump of 8.01m, while Sathyanathan’s best effort was 7.77m.
Tejas Shirse also reached a final, qualifying for the men’s 110m hurdles final after finishing third in his heat with a time of 13.76 seconds.
In swimming, Sajan Prakash advanced to the men’s 200m butterfly final, clocking a time of 1:59.58. Additionally, Swatik Patil qualified for the men’s 100m breaststroke SB9 final in para swimming, recording the sixth-fastest time in the heats at 1:15.85.
In boxing, Sachin Siwach moved into the men’s 60kg quarter-finals with a 4-1 split-decision victory over William Hewitt of England. Ankush Panghal also progressed to the men’s 80kg quarter-finals after a 5-0 win against Zalaan Jan of Antigua and Barbuda in the Round of 16. In artistic gymnastics, Protistha Samanta finished seventh in the women’s vault final.
Source: indiatoday.in
Arjun Sharma
Sports Reporter