Comeback man Hoblidhar storms to win in 100m
Indian sprinter Manikanta Hoblidhar made a successful return to competition by winning the 100m event at the 65th National Open Athletics Championships. After a year plagued by a hamstring injury and health issues, he clocked 10.25 seconds and is now aiming for a 10.00-second performance next season.
Why it matters
The return of a national record holder is significant for Indian athletics as the country looks to improve its standing in international sprinting events.
Last year, Manikanta Hoblidhar became the first Indian man to go under 10.20 seconds in the 100m, setting a new national record and throwing down the gauntlet for the rest of the sprinters.
Cut to March this year and the Karnataka man, hoping to add international success to his growing list of achievements on the domestic circuit, broke down. A Grade-2 hamstring tear during the National relay championships led to the revelation of a blood clot in his tendons as well, throwing his entire year into disarray. He missed the Commonwealth and Asian Games and the World Relays but most importantly, he was left far behind on the track.
On Friday, the 24-year-old took the first steps back to national reckoning, clocking 10.25 seconds to win the 65th National Open Athletics Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.
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