T Manorama Devi’s exhilarating dash in the final lap of Women Junior keirin final capped of a successful Hero Asian Championship for India as the 16-year old girl from Manipur clinched her second medal – a silver, thereby ensuring that India win four medals in the event here at Indira Gandhi Indoor Velodrome.
However, India’s cycling sensation – Deborah had to be settled with a silver as she lost her gold-medal best of three final tie against Korea’s Yeonhee Jang in the Women Junior sprint competition in the morning earlier on Monday.
Deborah lost the first heat but fought back in the second one. But, in the end, she was comprehensively beaten as she conceded too much of difference to her opponent by going up and later the Korean girl only had to maintain that lead.
“I was not warmed-up properly in the morning,” Deborah told reporters of her loss.
Gutsy Manorama
But, Monday belonged to Manorama, who showed strong character, determination and stuck to the basics after being released lately at the start.
Deborah also competed in the same race but she finished sixth.
Both Deborah and Manorama were blocked with no space to make a breakthrough. But, Deborah was continued to be in the block and at the end never looked like winning.
However, unlike Deborah, Manorama played a waiting game. She stick to the line and never went up. When, she got space from the right in the last lap, she made most of her chances. later, it was not easy as she was fifth before the final lap and she crossed three girls to finish second with a peak which was timed to perfection. The gold – medal winner – Yu Shiou Cheng of Chinese Taipei finished 0.131 mili-seconds earlier than the Manipuri.
“I was confident of my win in the keirin event. I remained behind all the time till the last lap as space around me was blocked. But, I rallied behind them in the same line. I didn’t try to do something different. I never went up as going up means you will face more distance. Whenever I got the space, I made the most of it. Deborah also did well but she lost out on that space thing. I am happy to win this medal. Now, we have four medals (two bronze and two silver). But, me and Deborah are sad that we couldn’t bring a gold,” Manorama told reporters after the win.
Other medal hopeful India quartet – Deborah, N Geeturaj, Bidhyalaxmi Devi and Jashanjit Singh lost the bronze – medal match against Kazakhstan girls in the Women’s junior 4-km team pursuit event in the final day of the track events.
“This is the best ever performance from India and we are happy with the efforts of all contestants,” India coach Rumi Chatterjee, said.
In the medal tally, Koreans lead the pack with 26 medals (12 golds, seven silvers and as many bronzes) followed by Malaysia and Hong Kong. India were placed ninth.
After a day’s rest, the road races start on Wednesday at the Buddh International FormulaOne Circuit.