Champion Abhishek and Sanjivani face tough test

Bengaluru: Last year’s men’s winner in the Indian Elite category Abhishek Pal and 2019 Elite Indian women’s champion Sanjivani Jadhav are in the fray at the TCS World 10 Bengaluru to be held here this Sunday.Abhishek, who clocked 30:05s last year, is expected to face a tough fight from Olympians T Gopi and Nitendra Singh Rawat and last year’s medallists Kartik Kumar and Gulveer Singh.The toppers among men and women in the Indian Elite line-up will win a cash prize of Rs 2.75 lakh each with another Rs 1 lakh coming as course record bonus. “I am excited and looking forward to the race day. It was an enjoyable race last year and I am hoping to defend my title. This year with more elite runners, it will be challenging yet exciting race,” Abhishek said. Kartik and Gulveer, who joined Abhishek on the podium last year, too are in the fray with Pravin Khambal, Harmanjot Singh, Tirtha Pun, Kiran Mathre and Dinesh.The women’s field could see a new athlete being crowned champion. Nashik athlete Sanjivani, who claimed the Delhi Half Marathon last year, will vie for her third title in this event. In 2022, Parul clocked 34:38s for the gold medal while Sanjivani settled for the silver in 34:44.Challenging Sanjivani for the top prize would be seasoned campaigners including Kavita Yadav and Preenu Yadav who had finished among the top 10 last time.