Hangzhou, Oct 4: Manju Rani and Babu Ram produced an impressive performance to clinch a bronze medal for India in the 35km race walk mixed team event at the 19th Asian Games. This achievement not only added to India’s medal tally but also equaled the country’s highest-ever medal tally in the history of this mega-sporting event.
Babu Ram completed the arduous race in 2 hours and 42 minutes, while Manju Rani displayed amazing stamina, requiring 3 hours and 9 minutes to complete the race. As a team, India finished third with a combined timing of 5 hours, 51 minutes and 14 seconds. They trailed eventual winners China by a margin of 34 minutes and 33 seconds.
The bronze medal took India’s total medal tally to 70, matching its best performance so far in the last edition of the Asian Games held in Indonesia in 2018.
In the 35 km race walk mixed team event, participating countries can field teams consisting of one male and one female athlete or two male and two female athletes. Medals are awarded based on the combined times of the best two performers from each team.
China and Japan fielded teams of two male and two female walkers, while India, Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia fielded teams of one athlete each. China won the gold medal with a remarkable timing of 5 hours, 16 minutes, and 41 seconds and set a new Asian Games record in the process. Japan took the silver medal with the same time of 5 hours, 16 minutes and 41 seconds.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi conglomerates both by sharing posts on the social media platform “X”.
Congratulations to Ram Baboo and Manju Rani for bringing glory to India with their Bronze Medal in the 35km Race Walk Mixed Team event. This would not be possible without the tremendous endurance and determination shown by these amazing athletes. pic.twitter.com/IYiZ4Ectnz
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 4, 2023
