Athletes
from J&K clinch multiple medals at Masters National Games in Pune
Jammu January 31 : On the last date of the 8th Masters National Games held in Pune from January 27 to January 31, athletes from Jammu and Kashmir put up an impressive performance, winning a rich haul of medals across various disciplines. The J&K Masters contingent secured two gold, four silver and five bronze medals in athletics, two gold medals in judo, one gold in lawn tennis and one silver and one bronze in badminton. The prestigious event was organized by the Masters Games Association Maharashtra under the aegis of the Super Masters Games and Sports Federation (India).
In athletics, Neete Kour of the 45-plus category emerged as one of the top performers, winning gold medals in the 100 metres and discus throw along with a silver medal in shot put. Renu Khullar, competing in the 40-plus category, claimed a silver medal in discus throw and bronze medals in shot put and the 200 metres. Upasana Sharma, also in the 40-plus category, won a silver medal in shot put and a bronze in discus throw, while Manpreet Kour of the 35-plus category bagged bronze medals in the 200 metres and shot put. Sanjeev Kumar, Inspector in Jammu and Kashmir Police from Kathua and competing in the 50-plus category, won silver medals in the 100 metres and 200 metres and a bronze medal in the 100 metres.
In judo, Irfan Lateef clinched a gold medal in the 30-plus 73 kg category, while M. Yaseen secured gold in the 30-plus 90 kg category. In lawn tennis, Aashish Bali won a gold medal in the 40-plus category. In badminton, Khema Gupta won a silver medal in singles in the 55-plus category and a bronze medal in doubles in the 50-plus category.
Ranjeet Singh Chib, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Masters Games Association and former Indian handball captain, along with other office bearers of the association, expressed immense pride in the achievements of the athletes and praised their dedication, discipline and fighting spirit, saying the performance brought great honor to Jammu and Kashmir.