39 Reliance Foundation Athletes Set to Shine at National Open Athletics Championships

Mumbai, 29th August 2024: A contingent of 39 athletes from Reliance Foundation is gearing up to compete in the 63rd National Open Athletics Championships, which will be held in Bengaluru from August 30 to September 2. Among the participants are national record holders Tejas Shirse, who specializes in the men’s 110m hurdles, and Amlan Borgohain, a standout in sprints.

The Reliance Foundation team boasts a diverse group of competitors, including Moumita Mondal, who will be taking on the heptathlon, and sprinters Manikanta Hoblidhar and Gurindervir Singh in the 100m. Other notable athletes include Yamandeep Sharma (decathlon), javelin throwers Sahil Silwal and Vikrant Malik, and Asian Games silver medalist Mohammed Afsal in the 800m. National record holder Rosy Meena Paulraj will also be in action in the pole vault event.

James Hillier, Director of Athletics at Reliance Foundation, spoke about the athletes’ preparations, stating, “For some of our senior athletes, this will be their final competition of the year, and they are eager to finish strong, building confidence for a big year ahead with events like the Asian Championships, World University Games, and the World Championships on the horizon. For our U-23 athletes, this championship offers valuable preparation for the U-23 Nationals next month. The upcoming Junior Nationals in November also make this a crucial competition for our younger athletes to gain quality experience. Bengaluru is an excellent venue, with a fast track and great facilities for throwing events.”

Hillier highlighted several athletes to watch, including Sahil Silwal and Vikrant Malik, who secured the top two spots in the javelin throw at the Inter-State Championships. “Amlan, who holds the national record in the 200m and previously in the 100m, will face off in the 100m against his training partner, Manikanta Hoblidhar, who is in excellent form. Gurindervir Singh, a promising talent from Punjab, will be making his debut in a Reliance Foundation competition,” Hillier noted.

The Odisha 4x100m relay team, which trains at the Odisha Reliance Foundation High-Performance Centre, is also expected to make an impact following their gold-winning performance at the Inter-State Championships. One of their stars, Animesh Kujur, will be competing in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events.

Moumita Mondal will be debuting in the heptathlon after achieving success in hurdles and long jump events at the national level. Earlier this year, Reliance Foundation athletes delivered an outstanding performance at the Inter-State Championships, bringing home a total of 22 medals.