Seasoned hiker Sandeep Kumar dominates fitness tests in men’s 20 km

India’s men’s 20km squad for the World Athletics Walking Team Challenge, scheduled to be held in Oman from March 4-5, will be a blend of youth and experience.

Two-time track and field athlete and seasoned Army walker Sandeep Kumar dominated Saturday’s men’s 15 km fitness test at the Agency’s Training Center Sports India (SAI) in Bengaluru.

Uttarakhand’s 20-year-old promising Suraj Panwar, a recent senior graduate, came in second behind 35-year-old Kumar.

Since this was a gym session, Kumar didn’t want to overdo it. Military athletes unofficially timed 60 minutes for the 15km distance.

“I am satisfied with my weekend performance,” Kumar told Sportskeeda by phone.

Paramjeet Bisht, another youngster from Uttarakhand, came in third while army De inherit Singh was fourth.

The top four athletes in the 15-kilometer fitness test are expected to land a spot on the national team, according to a senior coach familiar with the Athletics Federation’s selection criteria. India (AFI).

Meanwhile, India’s under-20 world silver medalist, Amit Khatri, won the men’s junior category, with a fitness test distance of 5km. Aditya Negi finished second while Anshul Dhaundiyal and Gajender Negi finished third and fourth respectively.

Military athletes show their potential in the men’s 25 km gymnastics event. Ram Baboo, Chandan Singh and Eknath finished in that order and will compete in the men’s 35 km race.

25-year-old international walker Priyanka Goswami of Uttar Pradesh is the clear winner in the women’s 25 km fitness trials. Ramandeep Kaur of Punjab is second while Manju Rani and Priyanka Patel are third and fourth respectively.

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The National Circuit Championships, scheduled to be held earlier this month in Ranchi, have been postponed due to the pandemic. AFI has therefore conducted trials in the senior and junior categories to select the Indian team for next month’s international competition in Oman.