Even as a total of 20 new meet records were set in the four-day meet, Chithra P U of Government HS, Mundur, and Nasimudheen M N of St George’s HSS, Kothamangalam, emerged the shining stars of the 57th Kerala State Schools Athletics Championship at the Maharaja’s College Stadium. The duo were declared the individual champions in the senior girls and boys sections respectively.
While Chithra walked away with four golds, Jisna Mathew, Bibin George and Rakhil A G also stood out with triple golds.
Of Chithra’s four gold medal performances in the championship, three broke meet records. The long distance runner claimed gold in the 5000 m, 3000 m and 1500 m races with record timings and also claimed first in the cross country race held on the final day.
Nasimudheen, who had won a gold in the 110 m hurdles and a silver in the 100 m sprint, won another gold in the 200 m race on Wednesday, contributing to his school’s title winning display. Nasimudheen expressed his joy and was confident of his district’s winning chances after coming first in the 200 m race in the afternoon session.
Meanwhile, it was Jisna Mathew, a trainee with the Usha School of Athletics, who emerged the champion in the junior girls section clinching triple golds. The category also saw strong performances from Dibi Sebastian (gold in 100m hurdles and high jump) and Athira K R (gold in 1500 m and 3000 m).
Rakhil A G was also on prime position atop the podium three times as the athlete from Kalladi HS, Kumaramputhur, Palakkad, won the 100 m and 200 m races, apart from his long jump win on the opening day. Mar Basil HSS’ Bibin George also claimed three wins from 3000 m, 1500 m and 800 m races.
Alappuzha’s Arjun S S and Ernakulam’s Sudheesh D won two golds in the junior boys category. Arjun dominated the throwing events in the category while Sudheesh claimed his wins from 80 m hurdles and 600 m race.
Holiday declared for schools
Kochi: The Department of Education has declared holiday for all government and government-aided schools, including higher secondary and vocational higher secondary, in Ernakulam district on Wednesday to mark the victory of Ernakulam district as champions in the State School Athletics Meet.