Bhubaneswar: After Dutee Chand’s splendid show in the women’s 100 metres it was another clinical performance by Odisha athlete Purnima Hembram as she clinched a gold medal in the Hepthathlon event of the 58th National Inter-State Athletics Championship at Guwahati, Friday.
She scored 5898 points to emerge champion. With this performance she also qualified for the Asian Games. The mark set for Asian Games by Athletics Federation of India (AFI) was 5400 points and Purnima was way ahead.
“I am satisfied with my performance. I had worked very hard for the competition and was confident of a good show. I will start my preparations for the Asian Games soon. It’s a big event. I will try my best to win a medal there and bring laurels for the country,” an elated Purnima stated.
Jauna Murmu of Odisha had a dismal day. She finished fifth in the women’s 400metres with a time of 53.42 seconds. Pragyan Prasanti Sahu stood fourth in the heats of 100 metres hurdles. Srabani Nanda did not participate due to injury.
“It was not my day. I tried my best and gave my all, but couldn’t finish in the podium,” a dejected Jauna stated. Orissa bagged a total of five medals in this tournament.