India Shines on Opening Day of 4th SAAF Senior Athletics Championships in Ranchi

Ranchi: India got off to a flying start at the 4th South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships, clinching multiple medals — including three glittering golds — on the opening day at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi.

Leading the medal rush, Prince Kumar, Sanjana Singh, and Samardeep Singh Gill produced stellar performances that set the tone for India’s campaign.

In the Men’s 5000m, Uttar Pradesh Police constable Prince Kumar clocked an impressive 14:22.17 seconds to grab India’s first gold of the tournament. Sri Lanka’s Vakshan Vicknaraj settled for silver with 14:23.21 seconds, while Nepal’s Mukesh Bahadur Pal took bronze in 14:25.25 seconds.

India maintained its dominance in the Women’s 5000m, where Sanjana Singh stormed to victory. Fellow Indian athlete Seema finished close behind, completing a 1-2 finish for the host nation.

Team India’s flagbearer and shot put specialist, Samardeep Singh Gill, added another gold with a powerful throw of 19.59 metres in the Men’s Shot Put event. His compatriot Ravi Kumar bagged silver with 17.95 metres, while Sri Lanka’s Mithunraj secured bronze.

In the Women’s Shot Put, India’s Dinesh V narrowly missed the top podium, finishing second with a best throw of 16.14 metres — just five centimetres short of Sri Lanka’s Ashmika Keshan, who took gold.

The host nation’s athletes showcased depth and consistency across events, reaffirming India’s position as the athletics powerhouse of South Asia.

Later in the evening, the championship formally opened with grandeur and cultural vibrance. Jharkhand marked its return as an international athletics host after nearly 15 years, welcoming athletes from across the region with a spectacular ceremony themed “Culture Meets Courage.”

Nearly 500 artists from across the state performed tribal and folk dances, live drumming, and musical acts that celebrated Jharkhand’s rich heritage. A packed stadium roared with excitement, especially when the Indian contingent — led by flagbearer Samardeep Gill — entered waving the Tricolour high.

The event blended athletic pride and cultural celebration, symbolizing Jharkhand’s growing prominence in the sporting landscape of South Asia.

With inputs from IANS