Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

It was a memorable day for the Odia cyclists at the Asian Track Cycling Championships which kicked off at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday.

India's cycling team consisting of Odisha cyclist Swasti Singh finished third to win bronze in the elite women team pursuit event. This is India's first-ever medal in cycling in any event of the elite section.

Meanwhile, Indian men's Team, which included Odisha's Dinesh Kumar also won bronze in team pursuit event.

Hosts India made a bright start to their campaign by bagging 10 medals, including a gold, on the opening day of the grand event.

The opening day of the 41st Senior, 28th Junior Asian Track and 10th Para Track Cycling Championships witnessed 12 finals out of which four were for Para Championships. The Indians clinched one silver and six bronze medals in the senior and junior events, while one gold, one silver and one bronze were won in the Para events.

India chief coach VN Singh was on the blue moon after the display of the home team on the opening day.

"India has progressed a lot in the endurance events, around last eight years ago it was difficult to complete the race but now the scenario has changed and Indian riders are not only completing the races but also winning the medals," he said.
 

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