The 62nd National Open Athletics Championships 2023 kicked off with a bang in Bengaluru, as Manikanta Hoblidhar from Services etched his name in the record books by smashing a new national record in the men’s 100m category. The opening day of the championship witnessed an outstanding performance by the young sprinter, who left spectators in awe with his lightning-fast speed.
In the semi-finals of the Men’s 100m, Manikanta Hoblidhar sprinted from the third lane, with extraordinary speed and determination. He powered his way to victory, crossing the finish line in first place with a remarkable timing of 10.23 seconds. Earlier in the day, Manikanta had showcased his remarkable speed with a time of 10.50 seconds in the preliminary heat.
Manikanta Hoblidhar surpassed the previous national record of 10.26 seconds held by Amiya Kumar Mallick since April 2016
Manikanta’s journey to breaking the national record has been nothing short of exceptional. At the Inter-State Championships in June, he had clocked 10.93 seconds in the semi-finals, failing to advance to the final. However, he made a remarkable turnaround in the Services meet, clinching the gold with a time of 10.31 seconds.
Manikanta, originally from Udupi, currently trains with the Services team in Hyderabad. He joined the Army in 2020, and his progress since then has been remarkable. Despite hailing from a humble background and being raised by his sister, Manikanta’s talent and determination have been recognized and nurtured by his mentors.
Manikanta’s record-breaking run also drew attention to the promising talents in Indian sprinting. Amlan Borgohain, an Indian sprinter, had clocked an impressive 10.25 seconds in the inter-railway athletics championships the previous year. Although this time wasn’t officially ratified, it showcased the potential for future records in Indian athletics. Notably, Amlan Borgohain’s 10.34-second sprint in the National Open in Warangal in 2021 is considered the third-best timing in the men’s 100m.
The podium for the men’s 100m at the 62nd National Open Athletics Championships 2023 featured other talented athletes as well.
In the men’s 100m heats, there were impressive performances by other athletes as well. Govind Kumar of Haryana sprinted his way to victory in Heat 1, clocking an impressive time of 10.48 seconds. Jay Shah of Maharashtra wasn’t far behind, finishing first in Heat 2 with a timing of 10.47 seconds. These athletes have demonstrated the depth of talent in Indian sprinting and hint at a promising future for the sport in the country.
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