The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, September 16, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Athletes from the Odisha-Reliance Foundation (RF) Athletics High Performance Centre (HPC) delivered a remarkable performance at the SAFF Junior Athletics Championships held in Chennai, clinching a total of five medals and demonstrating their elite capabilities on an international stage.
DM Jayaram emerged as the star of the event, securing two medals: a bronze in the men’s 100m and a silver in the men’s 4x100m relay. His exceptional sprinting was complemented by fellow HPC athlete Mahendra Santa, who contributed significantly to the relay team’s success. Despite recovering from dengue, Santa’s performance was commendable and is expected to improve further in future competitions.
In addition to Jayaram’s achievements, Sabita Toppo showcased an impressive performance by winning silver in the women’s 100m hurdles, setting a personal best time of 13.96 seconds. Her remarkable run was within the previous SAFF junior record, highlighting her significant progress. Laxmipriya Kisan also made her mark by clinching silver in the women’s 800m event with a time of 2:10.87, a notable achievement given her last-minute entry into the competition.
Martin Owens, Head Coach of the Odisha-RF HPC, praised the athletes’ performances, stating, “The SAFF Junior Athletics Championships provided a fantastic platform for our young athletes to shine on an international stage. Jayaram’s performance was exceptional, particularly given the strong competition from Sri Lankan sprinters. His season-best time of 10.56 seconds in the 100m was also a notable achievement. Both Jayaram and Mahendra performed admirably in the relay, while Laxmi exceeded expectations, particularly given her short preparation time. However, Sabita’s breakthrough performance was the highlight, as she achieved a personal best and set a new benchmark for future athletes.”
The Odisha-RF HPC, a collaborative initiative between the Odisha Government and the Reliance Foundation, is dedicated to elevating the standard of athletics in the state and nurturing talent that can compete at both national and international levels.
Reflecting on his journey, Jayaram expressed his gratitude, saying, “Being part of the High Performance Centre has transformed my athletic career. The training and support I’ve received have been invaluable. Winning medals at an international event is a dream come true, and I am incredibly proud of my achievements.”
The Odisha-RF HPC continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence in athletics, with this latest success underscoring the effectiveness of its training programs and the potential of its athletes.
