Asian Athletics Championships | Dutee Chand sets new national record in women’s 100m event

Indian track superstar Dutee Chand did the nation proud as she broke her own national record en route to making the semi-finals of the 100m event at the ongoing Asian Athletics Championships which is being held in Doha, Qatar. The Indian sprinter improved on her previous timing of 11.29s which she set at the Inter-State meet in Guwahati last year by qualifying for the semis with a timing of 11.28s. Dutee was also the fastest qualifier for the semi-finals.

“My timing was good and I also created a new national record. I just want to ask people to pray for me and I will do well in the finals and win the gold medal,” Dutee told PTI sources.

Meanwhile, fellow athlete Hima Das suffered a setback as her back problem recurred during her 400m heats. The young Indian sprinter failed to complete the race after the severe cramp occurred at the 200m point and forced her to retire in extreme agony.

However, MR Poovamma qualified for the 400m final after finishing second in the heat after Salwa Naser of Bahrain.

Amongst the Indian male athletes, Kerala’s Jinson Johnson qualified for the semi-finals of men’s 800m event after finishing second in the heats with a timing of 1:53.43. The veteran Indian runner looked comfortable during his race and did not need to accelerate much towards the end, as he usually does.