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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Asian athletics: Gulveer wins gold, race walker Servin takes bronze
New Delhi: Servin Sebastian was unfortunate to miss out on a Paris Olympics berth. The results of the race walking meet in Chandigarh where he breached the Paris qualification mark were not considered by World Athletics due to a technical glitch of the organisers. There were a couple of meets left before Paris but Servin could not repeat his performance. A crestfallen Servin decided to take a break from race walking and not compete this season. It was then that Army coach Basanta Bahadur Rana stepped in and motivated him to look ahead and get over the setback. The Tamil Nadu race walker has not only started afresh but is performing with renewed vigour. On Tuesday, Servin took bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea – his first big international medal – with a personal best timing of 1:21:14. Paris Olympian and Asian Games silver medallist Wang Zhaozhao of China (1:20:37) won gold, seeing off a tough fight from Japan's Kento Yoshikawa (1:20:46). The second Indian, Amit, came fifth (1:22:14.30). 'I have worked hard this season to win an international medal. Though the disappointment of not going to Olympics still lingers, with encouragement from my coach I was able to look at the bigger goal,' Servin told HT. 'I was so dejected after the episode that I wanted to take a long break and not do race walking for sometime. I discussed it with my coach but he encouraged me, saying such things are part of an athlete's life and that I have the potential to do much better,' he said. While Servin opened India's medal count, distance runner Gulveer Singh executed a brilliant final kick to win gold in 10,000m. Asian Games medallist Gulveer ran a brilliant last lap to surge past his rivals and dash home with a timing of 28:38.63. His personal best stands at 27:00.22, the national record which he achieved at a meet in the US in March. Given the hot and humid conditions, Gulveer did well to bide his time before accelerating, leaving behind Japan's Mebuki Suzuki (28:43.84) and Bahrain's Albert Kibichi Rop (28:46.82), who led for the most part of the race. 'The goal was to finish first and I am happy that I was able to execute my race strategy,' said Gulveer. 'There were expectations from me to win gold and this medal will enhance my chances of qualifying for the world championships.' This performance will give him a big boost for the 5,000m race on the last day of the competition (May 31). Gulveer has been on a record-breaking spree this season and has qualified for the September Tokyo worlds in 5,000m through entry standard (12:59.77), achieved at a meet at Boston University. At his Diamond League debut in Doha on May 16, Gulveer finished 9th. He trained in Doha and then in Delhi and was able to adjust to the hot conditions in Gumi. Water stations were in place during the race. 'I wanted to conserve my energy for the last lap. I wasn't feeling tired after crossing the finish line. If someone had pushed me, I could have gone faster,' he added. The second Indian in the race, Sawan Barwal, finished fourth clocking 28:50.53. Earlier, Servin gave India a good start. This season, Servin has shown top form in the domestic circuit winning gold at the National Games (1:21:23) and Indian Open Race Walking Competition (1:21:47). 'I want to do well in every race so that I can compete at the world championships.' The performance in Gumi will give a big boost to his world rankings and the Race to Tokyo rankings. He is currently 45th, with 50 slots available for the race walkers at the worlds. Servin could have done better had he not stopped for a water break at a crucial juncture. In hot and humid conditions, Servin did well to stay with the leading pack of seven athletes for a major part of the race. Breaking off from the pack, he maintained a good pace behind the Chinese and Japanese walkers. 'It was a mistake to go for water so close to the finish line with two km left. I was already in a medal position but could have done better. Once they went ahead the gap widened and I could never catch them.' These are important learnings for Servin, who has emerged as India's best in 20km race walk in the last one year. 'He has been a standout performer. He pushes himself in training and is mentally strong,' says Basanta Bahadur Rana. Woman javelin national record holder, Annu Rani, came fourth with a best effort of 58.30m. In decathlon, Tejaswin Shankar led the field after the first day's events.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bristol wing David among England camp call-ups
Millie David, Charlotte Fray, Jade Shekells and Sarah Parry have all been called into the England training squad for the first time before the Women's Six Nations. Forty-two players have been named, however only 24 women will be available to attend all training camps before the tournament starts. Eighteen of the named players are from Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens Women, and will later return to their clubs to prepare for the PWR final on Sunday, 16 March. England open the Six Nations at home to Italy in York, on Sunday, 23 March. The seven-day turnaround from league conclusion to the Six Nations start was agreed to accommodate the England players' requirement of an enforced rest period before training starts for their home Rugby World Cup this summer. England also confirmed that Nathan Catt will lead on defence as maternity cover for Sarah Hunter. Red Roses head coach Mitchell said: "Our coaching group remains stronger than ever with the inclusion of Nathan, who has been an exceptional addition from the pathway. "Sarah is an extremely valued member of the Red Roses. Her (current) focus is on being a mum and we're looking forward to seeing her soon. "The objective of this camp is to become organised and get better as a Red Rose ahead of the Six Nations, bearing in mind we will be without the PWR finalists next week. "We are expecting an excited energy in reconnecting again and focusing on the opportunity that this special tournament presents for us." Bristol wing David will get an opportunity to stake a claim for a Red Roses shirt after she was a shock omission from an England training camp in January. Great Britain Sevens player Shekells is also called into the squad. The 2024 Paris Olympian recently played for GB at the Vancouver leg of the World Sevens Series in February but has impressed in a handful of games for Gloucester-Hartpury at outside centre. Leicester Tigers' second row Fray is also called in, as is Harlequins 19-year-old centre Parry. Saracens scrum-half Ella Wyrwas returns to the squad having missed an earlier January camp. England rugby league convert Fran Goldthorp and Bristol wing Reneeqa Bonner are dropped from the squad after an initial call-ups in January. Forwards Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury), Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women), May Campbell (Saracens), Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Clifford (Saracens), Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers), Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs), Charlotte Fray (Leicester Tigers), Rosie Galligan (Saracens), Lizzie Hanlon (Harlequins), Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Connie Powell (Harlequins), Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears) Backs Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears), Jess Breach (Saracens), Millie David (Bristol Bears), Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Sarah Parry (Harlequins), Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning), Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury), Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury), Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury), Ella Wyrwas (Saracens)
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Emily Mackay returns to BU as luncheon headliner
(WIVT/WBGH) – Olympic runner Emily Mackay is preparing for a hero's welcome as she returns to her alma mater next week. The 2024 Paris Olympian will be the keynote speaker at Binghamton University's annual Celebrating Women's Athletics luncheon. Mackay, a graduate of Union Endicott and Binghamton University, plans to share her journey running at BU and her professional journey. She's currently planning to run the 3k in the United States Indoor Track and Field Championships in Staten Island this weekend. Having achieved her earlier goal of wanting to compete in the Olympics, Mackay now has her sights set on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. 'My big goal is to not only qualify for L.A., but I really want to try to medal there. If I can stay consistent and healthy for these next 4 years and continue to progress the way I have, at least the last couple years, I think I have a really solid shot,' said Mackay. Mackay says she hopes to inspire young athletes during her speech on Monday, much as she was inspired when she attended the 2019 luncheon as a BU student when the legendary runner Joan Benoit was the headliner. Mackay says her hometown tour will continue next Tuesday with visits planned to some U-E schools. Watch the full interview below. Emily Mackay returns to BU as luncheon headliner WATCH: Gov. Kathy Hochul won't remove Adams Honoring Black History: Rev. Arthur Jones Jr. BU seeking community input during president search Together for Ukraine events over the weekend Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
