KOCHI: Seven athletes from Kerala won medals in the Asian Masters Athletic meet which was held at Rugao International Stadium, China from September 24 to 28. The winners will be honoured here at YMCA on October 11, by the Masters Athletic Association and UAE exchange. Vijayan C K won two golds (long jump, triple jump) and two silvers (100m race, 4x400m Relay) while Jose Maveli(4x100, 4x400m relay) won one gold and one bronze in the 65+ category.
M J Jacob won three bronze and two silver (Steeple chase, triple jump, 4x100m and 4x400m relays) in the 75+ category while Rajam Gopi won two bronze and one silver (steeple chase,5km walk,4x400m relay) in the 60+ category. Johny won one silver and one bronze(4x100m, 4x400m relays) in the 55+ category while Terry Maria Soza won one silver and one bronze (4x100m and 4x400m relays) in the 45+ category and Joseph Andrew won one bronze (Pole Vault) in the 40+ category.
“The achievements of the athletes should be honoured. We at Age Friendly are very happy and are considering this as a stepping stone to the efforts we are putting forward for the age-friendly initiative. Almost all the athletes who won the medals are going to be a part of the Kerala Senior Citizens Athletic Meet to be held at Kochi soon,” said Ashraff, Coordinator, State Senior Citizens Athletic Championship.
“This should be seen as the beginning of active living. In future, we will be able to get more medals with all the state level competitions and clubs we are planning. Constant practice and the habit of not giving up, is the reason why the athletes landed the medals,” said Dr Praveen G Pai, convenor, Age Friendly.