National Open: Hoblidhar returns; Kuldeep vaults to a new meet record
The 65th National Open athletics championships saw Manikanta Hoblidhar return to form in the 100m heats, while Kuldeep Kumar set a new meet record in the pole vault. The event also featured controversy regarding athlete Abhishek Pal, who is competing despite an ongoing anti-doping investigation.
Why it matters
The event highlights both athletic achievement and the ongoing challenges of doping regulations in professional sports.
Manikanta Hoblidhar returned from a long injury lay-off to be the fastest Indian man on Day One of the 65th National Open athletics championships here on Thursday as he bid to regain his lost position at the top.
The former national record holder, returning to action after almost a year, topped the 100m heats in 10.36 seconds, then bettered it to 10.30s in the semifinals to book his place in the last eight.
Hoblidhar had set a new NR last year with a 10.19s, only to see it snatched away as Gurindervir and Animesh Kujur took charge.
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