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At the ongoing Asian Games, India's renowned race walkers, Manju Rani and Ram Baboo, etched their names in the record books by securing a bronze medal in the newly-introduced 35km mixed team event on Wednesday.
Rani and Baboo, both esteemed national record holders in their respective categories, delivered a stellar combined performance, clocking an aggregate time of 5 hours 51 minutes and 14 seconds. Their impressive feat placed them third, trailing behind dominant performances from China, who secured the gold with a time of 5:16:41, and Japan, clocking 5:22:11 for silver.
Unique to the 35km race walk mixed team event, the combined completion times of the male and female participants determine the medal recipients. This innovative format emphasizes teamwork and synchronicity between the two athletes representing their country.
The 35km race walk mixed team event made its debut at this edition of the Asian Games and is all set to be a part of the roster at the 2024 Paris Olympics, underscoring its growing international appeal. India too had embraced this format recently, introducing it domestically a few years prior.
Delving deeper into the individual performances, 24-year-old Ram Baboo completed his leg in 2:42:11, clinching the fourth spot in the men's race. Earlier in March, he had set the national record for the men's 35km race walk with a blazing time of 2:29:56. This prodigious talent had further showcased his mettle by bagging a gold medal in the previous year's National Games and reigning supreme in the national championships held in February. His credentials also include a commendable 27th place finish at the Budapest World Championships in August.
Similarly, Manju Rani, also 24, concluded her race in 3:09:03, earning a respectable sixth position. She holds the national record, clocking 2:57:54, which she achieved during her victory at the national race walk championships in February of the current year. Rani's trophy cabinet also boasts a gold from the National Inter-State Championships in June.
In summary, the introduction of the 35km race walk mixed team event at the Asian Games and its upcoming debut in the Paris Olympics indicates the evolving nature of international sports. As athletes like Manju Rani and Ram Baboo continue to excel and inspire, the future of Indian race walking looks promising.
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(With PTI inputs, powered by AI)
