Kathmandu, September 20

Central Region claimed the first Youth and Junior National Athletics Championship here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

Central Region won 11 gold medals along with five silvers and six bronzes to win the team championship. Western Region claimed six gold medals and seven each silvers and bronze to finish second, while Mid-western Region came third with six gold, seven silver and two bronze medals.

On the second day, Sunita Shrestha of Central clocked two minutes and 43.17 seconds to win the girls’ 800m gold medal in youth category, while Rohit Adhikari of Western came first in boys’ section with the timing of two minutes and 04.53 seconds. Western’s Bikash Kumar Sah (6.04m) and Bipana Pariyar (5.06m) won gold medals in long jump.

In junior category, Birendra Chaudhary of Central claimed the boys’ javelin throw with a distance of 47.54 metres, while Khageshwari Dhagunna of Far-western won the women’s event with 28.47m. Likewise, Central’s Bhuwan Mahato (6.27m) and Pramila Tharu (4.77m) won long jump golds. Tharu also won the 200m race by clocking 28.10 seconds. Aashish Chaudhary of Mid-western took two minutes and 38.47 seconds to win the men’s 800m race.

Central’s Khil Bahadur Karki won 200m race in 23.70 seconds and Chandeshwor Patel won the 400m gold with the timing of 52.50 seconds. In all, 75 players from five regions took part in 26 events of the championship organised by Nepal Athletics Association.