Masters Athletics: Unstoppable Betty wins 3 gold medals

Panaji: Goan athletes won 20 gold medals on the opening day of the 3rd National Women Masters Athletics Championship 2026, with Betty Sebastian D’Silva picking up three for herself at the Athletics Stadium, Cujira, Santa Cruz, on Saturday.
Competing in the 60+ age category, Betty won all three events. The former volleyball star won gold medals in discus throw, triple jump and high jump.
Among the multiple gold medal winners for Goa was Maria Imelda de Sousa, the oldest athlete in the competition, aged 91. Based in Mapusa, she won gold in 100m and shot put. Other double gold winners from Goa were Melida Pereira (75+), Ritinha Pereira (65+) and Devi Gaonkar (50+).
Imelda is the only athlete in the 90+ age category. Pani Devi, 94, from Rajasthan had also registered, but did not travel to Goa.
There are 11 athletes in the age group of 80-85 years, with Perpetua Jacques, the only Goan in the list, doing well to win gold in 100m run.

Goa’s gold medal winners: Betty D’Silva (60+: discus throw, triple jump and high jump), Maria Imelda de Sousa (90+ 100m and shot put), Melida Pereira (75+: 100m and 400m), Ritinha Pereira (65+ high jump and triple jump), Devi Gaonkar (50+ discus throw and shot put), Perpetua Jacques (80+ 100m), Sonali Mankoti (30+ 1500m), Lavina Lobo (45+ 1500m), Amita K Desssai (40+ 400m), Soniya J Parab (40+ 5km walk), Navashree Nayak (45+ 5km walk), Alzira Lacerda (45+ 80m hurdles), Ana Julieta Fernandes Abraham (75+ discus throw).