Despite fever, state’s sprinter bags bronze & sets national record

Raipur: Battling fever, cough, and cold, 21-year-old Animesh Kujur, a 200m sprinter from Ghuitangar village of Kunkuri tehsil in Jashpur district, clinched a bronze medal at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea. Part of the Indian contingent, he made history by completing his race in 20.32 seconds, setting a new national record. Kujur is the second Indian to win a medal at the continental event, an achievement that has brought immense pride to his family and the entire state of Chhattisgarh.Kujur's record-setting time secured him the bronze. Japan's Towa Uzawa won the gold medal in 20.12 seconds, while Saudi Arabia's Abdul Atafi claimed silver in 20.31 seconds.Kujur expressed his happiness after the win. "The start was not good. Good curve running enabled me to win a medal at the Asian meet," he said.Kujur improved his personal best with this performance. His previous best was 20.40 seconds, recorded at the Federation Cup in Kochi in April. With this run, he broke Amlan Borgohain's previous national mark of 20.52 seconds.Athletic coach Dinesh Tandhi told TOI he spotted Animesh in a state athletic championship and invited him to join after observing his talent. "I wanted to polish his talent. He underwent rigorous training for a period of one year in 2021," Tandi said. The coach also revealed that Kujur battled cough, cold, and fever a day before the competition. "Even though he overcame cough and cold, fever was a bit there when he arrived at the competition," Tandi added.Chhattisgarh athletics association president Mahendra Ahuja and others have congratulated Kujur on his achievement.