Over 350 veteran athletes showcased their fitness and determination with enthusiasm as they participated in the Masters Athletics Championship organised by the Coimbatore District Masters Athletic Association at Nehru Stadium, on Sunday. The event was organised for age groups from 35 to over 90 years. 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89 and above 90 years were the categories for the events. Events like 100mts, 400 mts, 3000 mts, 10000 mts, long jump, high jump, javelin throw and shotput were conducted.
Over 350 veteran athletes showcased their fitness and determination with enthusiasm as they participated in the Masters Athletics Championship organised by the Coimbatore District Masters Athletic Association at Nehru Stadium, on Sunday. The event was organised for age groups from 35 to over 90 years. 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89 and above 90 years were the categories for the events. Events like 100mts, 400 mts, 3000 mts, 10000 mts, long jump, high jump, javelin throw and shotput were conducted.
This year it was the 70-year old athlete, Balamani who enthralled the spectators as she clinched gold in the long jump event in her category. Putting aside both age and restrictions, Balamani displayed that with determination and true sportsmanship spirit on ecan contine to compete like the young.
Similarly, in the 35 year age category for women, Koneshwari secured gold in the 200 mts run while Srija finished at the top in the 1500 mts race for the 40 years category. In the 45 years category for women, Jackelin Jayarani stole the first place in the 5km walking event and Premalatha was successfull in discus throw in the 50 years category.
In the men's category, Shakthi secured gold in the 800 mts run while Amrith Kumar Singh clinched gold in the 200 mts run in the 35 years category, while Ramachandran won the gold in the 5 km walk in the 70 years category.
V Balasundaran, President of the Coimbatore District Masters Athletic Association awarded prizes to winners of various categories. Earlier, addressing the media, D David Premnath, the Secretary General of the Masters Athletics Federation of India urged the veteran athletes not to participate in the events conducted by unauthorized associations, since winning medals in events conducted by unauthorized associations will not give them recognition. He warned that strict action will be taken on those unauthorized associations that conduct events. "The Coimbatore District Athletic Association affiliated to the Masters Athletics Federation of India and Tamil Nadu Masters Athletics Association has been actively working for the past 16 years and producing a bunch of international athletes from the city," he reiterated.
Images of the match :
