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Avantika Narale’s first international 100m gold had SSC exams all over it

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByJigar Hindocha
Mar 26, 2019 05:10 PM IST

Pune’s sprint queen is setting the mark at the international level. Her 100m sprint run in Hong Kong won her gold

Avantika Narale gave three SSC board exam papers, then flew out to represent India at the Asian Youth Athletics Championship in Hong Kong, won three medals, flew back and appeared for two more papers.

The 15-year-old Pune girl ran her 100 metres in 11.97 seconds in Hong Kong to win the gold medal last week. She is not sure what her SSC results are going to be, but the last 20 days have been memorable... to say the least.

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At the Asian Youth Athletics Championship, Narale also claimed silver in the 200 metres and relay events, respectively.

“Taking part in the Asian Youth Athletics Championship was planned once I was selected for the Indian team. I can give my remaining papers in June. The school is very supportive, which makes things easier for me,” says Narale, a student of Lonkar Madhyamki Vidyalaya, Wadgaonsheri.

“This was the first time I represented the country at the international level. It was a very big opportunity. Competition was tough, but I am happy to achieve my personal best to clinch gold in the 100 metres,” says Narale.

In the 100m heats, Narale clocked 12.14 seconds and in the semi-final, 12.04 seconds.

“I was not worried and was just focussing on giving it my best. It feels good to achieve a timing of 11.97 seconds,” she adds.

In Hong Kong, Narale beat Hanae Aoyoma of Japan (11.98, silver) and Erna Nuryanti of Indonesia (12.08, bronze) to the gold.

2019 has been fruitful for Narale as, she won eight gold national-level medals prior to Asian Youth Athletics Championship.

Two gold medals (200m, 4x100m relay) at Khelo India, 2019; three medals at National School Games, Delhi (100m, 200m 4x100m relay); and three (100m, 200m 4x100m relay) at National Youth Athletics, Ranchi.

“I am satisfied with her results. For the last six months she (Avantika) is continuously participating in the tournaments. In the 200 metres as well she came out with a personal best,” says Sudhakar Memane, Narale’s coach. He 200m timing in Hong Kong is 24.29 seconds. Along with Memane, Narale trains under Sanjay Patankar.

Next target? 2022 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.

“Avantika should keep on improving . She has age on her hand. This is the age an athlete can improve a lot on timings. If she keeps improving surely she will be a part of the Indian team at the Youth Olympics,” Memane adds.

In terms of her studies, Narale appeared for her English, Hindi and Marathi SSC board papers before Hong Kong, and then came back and gave History and Geography.

A bunch of key papers are still in limbo - Maths 1, Maths 2, Science 1 and Science 2.

Narale remains quietly confident. “I am not thinking about percentage or which college I will join,” is all she says.

Performance at Asian Youth Athletics Championship

100 metre: Gold (11.97 seconds)

200 metre: Silver (24. 20 seconds)

Medley relay: Silver (2:10.87) In medley relays, each member of the team runs a different distance. Avantika ran 200 metres, Other members ran 100m, 300m and 400m respectively. This type of relay happens only at the junior level

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