South Asian Athletics Championships showcase rising regional talent and new records
More than 300 athletes from six nations — India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives — competed across multiple track and field events over four days
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — The 4th South Asian Athletics Championships concluded in Ranchi, eastern India, with new meet records and notable performances that underscored South Asia’s growing competitiveness in athletics.
At the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium, more than 300 athletes from six nations — India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives — competed across multiple track and field events over four days.
The competition highlighted not only the region’s athletic depth but also the gradual rise of smaller nations challenging traditional powerhouses.
Among the standout moments was the Maldives women’s 4×100-meter relay team, where Aishath Shaba Saleem, Hawwa Muzna Faiz, Ahnaa Nizaar, and Ziva Moosa Shafeeu clocked 47.79 seconds to claim bronze — a rare podium finish for the island nation, which competes with limited training facilities and resources compared with its regional counterparts.
For a country with fewer than 600,000 people, the relay team’s performance was seen as a breakthrough, reflecting years of effort to elevate women’s athletics in the Maldives. Sri Lanka took gold with 44.70 seconds, while India finished second at 44.93 seconds.
Individual athletes also made headlines. India’s Mohd Sazid captured gold in the men’s long jump with a 7.68-meter leap, while Sri Lanka’s Mohammad Yamick Fatima triumphed in the women’s 200-meter sprint, finishing in 23.58 seconds ahead of India’s Sakshi Chavan and Neeru Pathak. Their performances reflected both technical excellence and the region’s emerging female sprint talent.
India maintained its dominance on the medals table with 20 golds and 58 total medals, while Sri Lanka followed closely with 16 golds and 40 overall. Nepal secured six medals, including two silvers, and Bangladesh took three bronzes. The Maldives earned one bronze, while Bhutan finished without a medal.
The championships, which began on October 24, not only produced new meet records but also strengthened regional athletic cooperation. Sports authorities from across South Asia hailed the event as a vital platform for nurturing youth talent and expanding cross-border training exchanges.
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