Former U-20 South Asian champion wins first KIUG gold in 5,000 metres

Lucknow: Poonam Dinkar Sonune, an experienced middle-distance runner from Maharashtra, representing Mangalore University, clinched the gold medal in the 5,000 metres event at the Khelo India University Games 2022 that took place in Uttar Pradesh. Poonam previously clinched the South Asian U20 championship in the 3000 metres event. She won her first gold in her third attempt at Khelo India University games. Her winning time in the race was 16:59.31 minutes.Earlier, Poonam participated in the TCS World 10K race in Bengaluru, where she secured the 16th position overall and the second position among Indian elite women runners. She then traveled to Lucknow and won the first place in the race that took place at the Guru Gobind Singh Sports College Campus with a time of 16:59.31 minutes. The current national record for this competition is held by Parul Chaudhary with a timing of 15:10.35.Poonam earlier participated in the Khelo India University Games that took place in Bhubaneswar and Bengaluru. In Bengaluru, she secured third position in 5,000 metres event. She expressed happiness for getting chance to participate in the Khelo India University Games and mentioned that winning a medal in these games is very special for her. Poonam stated that she also took part at the Khelo India Youth Games and won gold in the 5,000 metres event and silver in the 3,000 metres event that was held in Pune. She also clinched a bronze medal in the 5,000 metres event that took place in Guwahati. tnn