Odia athlete Jauna Murmu strikes gold in National Open Athletics

Bhubaneswar: Ace Odia athlete Jauna Murmu today bagged gold medal in the women’s 400-meter hurdles event at the 57th National Open Athletics Championships in Chennai.

Murmu achieved the feat by clocking the fastest time of 58.25 seconds leaving behind Arpitha M, who stood second with a timing of 59.97 seconds.

Murmu who had managed to enter the final round in 400-meter hurdles at the Asian Athletics Championships held in Bhubaneswar earlier this year, was also selected for the World Athletics Championships in London.

More than 900 top track and field athletes from around the country are participating in the Chennai championships organised by Athletics Federation of India (AFI). The competition is scheduled to feature 22 events each in men and women categories.