In a thrilling display of speed and stamina, Karnataka’s Priyanka Gupta claimed double gold in the women’s 1500m at the 4th National Indoor Athletics Championships in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh. The event, held from March 23-25, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, drew over 800 athletes from 30 states, marking a key step toward India’s Paris 2028 Olympic preparations. Priyanka dominated the heats on March 23, clocking 4:18.45 to advance comfortably. In the final on March 24, she surged ahead in the last 200m, finishing in a championship record 4:15.72—shaving 1.23 seconds off the previous mark held by Tamil Nadu’s Rupavathi (4:16.95, 2024). Her explosive kick left runners like Services’ Kavya Y (4:17.89) and Railways’ Sangeeta (4:18.42) trailing.
Not done yet, Priyanka returned for the 3000m on March 25, powering to victory in 9:02.15. This edged out Maharashtra’s Aishwarya Singh (9:03.44) and Karnataka teammate Deepika (9:04.21), securing her second gold and Karnataka’s top medal haul with 12 golds overall.
Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla praised her, saying, “Priyanka’s double win boosts indoor athletics, a vital Olympic feeder.” The championships saw 142 medals awarded, with Services leading (28 golds), followed by Karnataka (12) and Maharashtra (11). Records tumbled in 12 events, highlighting rising talent.
Priyanka, 24, from Bengaluru, credits her coach and high-altitude camps in Ooty. Her feats echo Karnataka’s legacy, like Hima Das’s sprints. As India eyes global podiums, stars like Priyanka fuel the dream.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
1. When and where was the 4th National Indoor Athletics Championships held?
It took place March 23-25, 2026, at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, with over 800 athletes competing.
2. What were Priyanka’s winning times in the 1500m and 3000m?
She won 1500m gold in a record 4:15.72 and 3000m in 9:02.15, beating strong rivals from Services and Maharashtra.
3. Why is this event important for Indian athletes?
It’s a key Olympic prep platform, with 142 medals and 12 records broken, helping build stamina for Paris 2028.
(*Image Source-Athlectics India)