Bhubaneswar: While the Capital city is gearing up for a spectacular and colourful closing ceremony of the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships today, all eyes are on Odia athletes with high hopes that they will win medals for India and make the host State proud.
As per latest reports, Odia sprinters Srabani Nanda and Dutee Chand have stormed into the finals of women’s 200 mt event today at the Kalinga Stadium here. On the other hand, despite finishing fifth in the men’s 200 m event, Amiya Mallick today qualified for the finals because of his good timing, said official sources.
Besides, performances of Purnima Hembram in women's Heptathlon event will be hosted soon.
Meanwhile, the Commissionerate Police has decided to block three roads in the city between 6 pm and 11 pm on Sunday as part of its measures to meet the rush near Kalinga Stadium as heavy footfalls for the valedictory ceremony of the mega event is expected.
The closing ceremony will start from 9 pm after all the athletics events' final conclude.
Meanwhile, Indian athletes continued to shine and helped India grab top spot in the medal tally by the end of the third day of the games with a total of 20 medals.
Rising sprinter and local boy Amiya on Saturday stormed into the semis of men’s 200 m event even though his earlier performances in individual 100 m and relay were disappointing. Srabani and Dutee also won bronze medal in 4×100 m relay event on the third day.
However, Jauna Murmu failed to live up to the expectations as she crashed out of the 400 m hurdles finishing sixth while another Indian athlete Anu R secured the second spot and won silver in the event.
Also Read: Asian Athletics Meet: Odia Sprinters Dutee, Srabani Win Bronze