PNN & Agencies
Kolkata, Sept 17: Orissa sprinter Dutee Chand marked her return in the National Open Athletic Championships by laying her hands on the coveted gold in 100 metres sprint here Thursday at the 55th edition of the event. It was indeed a remarkable turnaround for the sprightly-built lass who even a few months back was facing oblivion.
Dutee did not start off well, but she was at her best in the last few metres as she edged past rival and statemate Srabani Nanda, who stood second. Dutee clocked 11.68 seconds, just ahead of Srabani who crossed the line in 11.70 seconds. The Railways athlete, however, fell short of the Olympic qualifying mark of 11.32 seconds.
The sprinter was banned last year by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) as her body produced testosterone at levels which were deemed higher than the limits for women sportspersons. But the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in July cleared the sprinter by suspending the ‘hyperandrogenism’ rules.
“I am happy that my practice has helped me achieve the desired result here. I have been training really hard, three times a day so that I can put in my best efforts,” Dutee said after her win. “I dedicate this win to sports minister country Sarbananda Sonowal, as he has done a lot for me when I was in a crisis situation,” she said.
The 19-year-old sprinter added that the effort was not her best and that she was looking forward to the next event where she will get another chance to outdo the timing she clocked. “This was not my best, will try and better it next time, so looking forward to the next meet,” asserted Dutee who had clinched bronze in 2013 Asian Athletics championship.
Dutee is coached by Nagpuri Ramesh and is at present undergoing training at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad.
The fastest woman in the country also was quick to point that her state Olympic Association (OOA) had been a pillar of strength for her. “Asirbad (Sir, OOA secretary) has always been very encouraging,” she stated. Early on, during the period when I was suspended, he was always there to lend a helping hand.
It was indeed a day of redemption for Dutee. Last year, in May, when she was expecting to make it to the team for the Glasgow CWG, the hyperandrogenism controversy had affected her career. “I don’t want to remember those dark days again,” she said. “I just want to look forward and go on performing,” she added.
