Competing in her first senior level event after winning a landmark gender case, sprinter Dutee Chand stole the limelight by winning 200m and 4x100m relay gold on the final day to complete her golden treble in the 55th National Open Athletics Championship here today.
The diminutive 19-year-old, who had won the 100m gold on the second day, reigned supreme in the 200m before helping Railways win the 4x100m relay today to bag her third gold of the meet at SAI Complex here.
"I was nervous before coming here but my target is now fulfilled. I could achieve this because of love and blessings of all of you," Dutee said, flashing "V" and a broad grin.
Dutee had claimed a 100/200m double in Ranchi National Open two years ago and missed the last edition in Delhi as she was banned under IAAF's "hyperandrogenism" policy. After her appeal against this policy was partially upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, she took part in National Junior Federation Cup in Hyderabad last month and won gold in 200m.
Tintu Luka also lived up to the expectations when she smashed an 18-year-old 800m meet record, clocking 2.00.56 to win the last event of the concluding day.
Tintu took a big lead after finishing the first lap under 57 seconds but with no competition, she slowed down to reach the finish line with her best time in India as she defended the title fourth year in a row.
"She was alone at the finish so could not pace up but I'm happy with her effort," Usha said as Tintu got past her previous best timing in India -- 2:01.86 -- which she achieved while winning gold in Kerala National Games earlier this year.
Tintu has already qualified for Rio Olympics with her timing of 2:00.95s at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing last month.
It was the second meet record which came after the Services 4x400m relay quartet of V Sajin Sumit Kumar, Manas Y and Arokya Rajeev put together 3:06.63 to blaze past the previous best of 3:07.27, set by the same department in 2013.
Overall, Railways emerged champions with 267 points, far ahead of second placed ONGC (185) and Services (174.5) who however reigned supreme in the men's section.
