Uttar Pradesh’s Ram Baboo and Punjab’s Manju secured gold medals in the men’s and women’s 42km events at the 13th Indian Open Race Walk Competition. The meet took place at Sukhna Lake on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Ram Baboo clocked 3:09:17.00 to win the men’s full marathon walk. The Athletics Federation of India introduced the 42km distance this season.
Ram Baboo began his 2026 campaign with authority. He had earlier claimed bronze in the 35km mixed team event at the Asian Games.
He edged past Olympian Sandeep Kumar of Haryana, who settled for silver with 3:11:18.00. Resham Midhun of Telangana finished third in 3:12:11.00.
Ram Baboo expressed satisfaction with his season opener. He said he felt physically prepared and mentally focused in Chandigarh.
He now aims for a podium finish at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Ram Baboo intends to improve his timings in future competitions.
Women’s Race Decided Late
Manju delivered a composed performance in the women’s 42km race. She remained among the leading trio, including Olympian Priyanka Goswami, until the 32km mark.
Manju then accelerated decisively. She gradually widened the gap and secured victory in 3:33:24.00.
Priyanka Goswami took silver in 3:37:25.00. Payal of Uttarakhand claimed bronze in 3:39:57.00.
Manju stated that stronger competition might have helped her record an even better time. Like Ram Baboo, she has set her sights on a medal at the Asian Games in September.
Both Ram Baboo and Manju had earlier won bronze in the 35km mixed race walk team event at the 2022 Asian Games in China.
In the 10km events, Nitin Gupta of Uttar Pradesh struck gold in the men’s race with 41:44.00.
Rishikesh P of Tamil Nadu and Bilin George Anto of Kerala followed. In the women’s 10km race, Reshma Patel of Uttar Pradesh triumphed in 46:19.00.
Mary Margaret K of Delhi secured second, while Akshaya K of Kerala placed third.
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