Ravina and Sahil won the first-ever national women’s and men’s half–marathon walk events, respectively, at the Indian Open Race Walking Competition 2026 in Chandigarh on Sunday.
Competing in the new 21.0975km distance near Sukhna Lake, Ravina claimed the gold medal in the women’s half marathon race walk event with a time of one hour, 39 minutes and 15 seconds (1:39:15) to set the first-ever national record in the event.
All national records remain subject to ratification by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
Munita Prajapati finished second with a time of 1:39:26, while Mansi Negi was third after clocking 1:42:58.
In the men’s half marathon race walk, Sahil finished first in 1:25:48. Asian Championships bronze medallist Servin Sebastian finished second with a time of 1:25:50, while Hardeep was third in 1:26:03.
Paris 2024 Olympian Akshdeep Singh, who holds the national record over the 20km race walk distance, came seventh with a time of 1:27:37.
The standard race walk distances were updated last year, with the traditional 20km and 35km events replaced by half marathon (21.0975km) and full marathon and 42.195km by World Athletics.
Ram Baboo had won the men’s full marathon walk event with a national record time of 3:09:17 on day 1 of the Indian Open Race Walking Competition on Saturday.
Manju Rani, who teamed with Ram Baboo to bag bronze at the 2023 Asian Games in the mixed team 35km event, won the women’s full marathon walk event.
Indian Open Race Walking Competition 2026: Day 2 winners
- Men’s half marathon walk: 1. Sahil (1:25:48), 2. Servin Sebastian (1:25:50), 3. Hardeep (1:26:03)
- Women’s half marathon walk: 1. Ravina (1:39:15), 2. Munita Prajapati (1:39:26), 3. Mansi Negi (1:42:58)
- Boys U20: 1. Tushar Panwar (19:59.00); 2. Himanshu Panwar (20:08.00); 3. Praveen (20:12.00)
- Girls U20: 1. Manisha (23:24.00); 2. Yogita (23:49.00); 3. Simran Gusain (23:58.00)
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/indian-open-race-walking-competition-2026-athletics-day-2-medal-winners
