Yadav, Burman win gold at Asian Athletics Championships

Bhubaneshwar: India's Archana Yadav and Swapna Burman won gold in their respective events on the final day of the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships here on Sunday.

Yadav held off some tough competition to win gold in the women's 800 metres event while Burman emerged triumphant in the women's heptathlon.

Yadav produced a powerful sprint in the final stretch to beat Nimali Waliwarsha Konda of Sri Lanka by a narrow margin in front of a cheering crowd at the Kalinga Stadium here.

The Indian registered a time of two minutes and five seconds, marginally ahead of Konali who posted 2:05.23. Sri Lanka took the bronze as well, with Gayanthika Thusari finishing just behind the leading duo with 2:05.27.

"It is my first international medal at the senior international level, so I am very happy. I thank my God, my coach and my mom," Yadav said after the race.

Yadav, who also bagged a spot in next month's World Championships, is looking forward to doing well at the world level now.

"I am preparing for the World Championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. I want to win more medals," she said.

Later, Burman won the second gold of the day for India with a total of 5942 points in the women's heptathlon.

Meg Hemphill of Japan took silver with 5883 points while India's Purnima Hembram bagged bronze with 5798.

IANS