Indian women script history by claiming Gold medal in 4×400m relay in C’wealth Games
By ANITuesday, October 12, 2010
NEW DELHI - If Indian sports lovers thought Monday was the finest day in athletics for the country in the history of Commonwealth Games due to it first ever Gold in Discus Throw besides a podium finish, the Indian women runners made Tuesday an unforgettable Golden Day, as they stunned all by winning Gold medal in the women’s 4×400m relay here on Tuesday.
It was the first-ever track gold medal won by the country’s women at the Commonwealth Games.
Supported by a huge home crowd, Indian runners led virtually for the whole race with Manjeet Kaur handing over just ahead of England on the first leg, and Sini Jose and Ashwini Akkunji holding the advantage over the second and third legs respectively.
Later, it was left to Mandeep Kaur to hold off Nigeria’s 400m hurdles gold medallist Muizat Odumosu and Nadine Okyere of England on the final stretch.
But she was never threatened, as the India team took the top honours in 3:27.77 seconds, to Nigeria’s 3:28.72 and England’s 3:29.51.
“I have got goosebumps right now. I think we won because of the crowd support we had,” said Manjeet Kaur, one of the runners.
“I thought we would come second, but my team had the self belief to do it….We worked on our performance day and night. We wanted to prove to the world that we can win medals in athletics,” Kaur stated after the win.
On Day-9 of the competition at Commonwealth Games (till late evening), India was well-placed with 32 Gold, 25 Silver, 32 Bronze medals in its total medal tally of 89 medals.
England remained on third position with 30 Gold, 50 Silver, 41 Bronze in its total medal tally of 121.
Australia remained on top in the overall medal tally with at a total 153 medals comprising 68 Gold, 45 Silver, 40 Bronze medals. (ANI)
