CUTTACK: Odisha woman sprint ace Dutee Chand made a successful return to competitive athletics by winning the under-20 girls’ 100 metre gold on the opening day of the 62nd Odisha State Athletics Championship here on Sunday.
The 18-year-old international sprinter, who was banned from running in national and international events in August this year due to high androgen levels, but was provisionally allowed to compete in domestic events by Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) earlier this month, looked a bit rusty as she finished with a timing of 12.1 seconds.
“I feel very happy to return to competitive athletics after gap of six months. Though I could not break the meet or state record, I am happy that I won the gold,’’ said Dutee.
“I was out of training since the ban was imposed by Athletics Federation of India in August this year. But I was always focused and feel confident of returning to form in a month’s time,’’ added the Central Railway employee.
Dutee, who bagged a double by winning gold in 100m and 4x400m events of the last Asian Junior Athletics Championship at Taipei City earlier in June, said she was looking forward to do well in the National Games in Kerala next month.
“I will be vying for a sprint double in the ongoing state meet and hope to put up medal-winning performance in the National Games. After the state meet, I will leave for Hyderabad to train under my coach N Ramesh,’’ she said.
“I am hopeful that CAS will give me clearance to compete in international events. I have done nothing wrong. God is with me and I am optimistic of getting justice eventually,’’ she singed off.