CWG Double Silver: Priyanka Walks Into History Books, Avinash Shines In Steeplechase

Birmingham: Priyanka Goswami walked into the history books here on Saturday by winning the silver medal in women’s 10,000m walk at the Commonwealth Games.

The 26-year-old athlete from UP thus became the first Indian woman to bag a medal in any race walk event, PTI reported.

Avinash Sable provided a further silver lining to India’s athletics campaign on Saturday, as he finished second in men’s 3000m steeplechase.

Avinash clocked 8:11.20 minutes to shatter his own personal best and rewrite the national record. He came in just behind Kenyan gold-medallist Abraham Kibiwot, who recorded 8:11.15.

Priyanka’s silver-winning timing of 43:38.83 minutes was also a personal best. She followed Australia’s Jemima Montag (42:34.30) to the finish line.

Bhawna Jat, the other Indian in the fray, clocked a personal best of 47:14.13, but she was eighth.

The first Indian man to have won a medal in race walk was Harminder Singh, who got a bronze in 20km walk in the 2010 New Delhi Games.