Pokhara, April 29

Indian triathletes dominated the fifth South Asian Triathlon Championship here at the Fewa Lake today.

Guru Datta won the men’s section title with the timing of 54 minutes and 51 seconds, finishing ahead of his countryman and 12th South Asian Games gold medallist Dilip Kumar (55:59). Nepal’s Basanta Tharu came third in 56 minutes and 12 seconds. The event included 750m swimming, 10km cycling and 5km running.

In women’s section, Pallavi Retiwala, also the 12th SA Games gold medal winning triathlete, came first in one hour, one minute and three seconds. Nepal’s Sony Gurung finished second in 1:06:02, while the 12th SA Games silver medal winner Roja KC came third in 1:08:04.

The event also served as the sixth National Triathlon Championship. Tribhuvan Army Club triathletes claimed top three spots in men’s section. Basant Tharu, who came third in SA Championship with the timing of 56 minutes and 12 seconds, won gold medal in the national championship. Himal Tamatta finished second in 58:12 and Rudra Katwal was third in 58:48.

In women’s section, Nepal APF Club’s Sony Gurung won gold medal in one hour, six minutes and two seconds, while the 12th SA Games silver medal winner Roja KC came second in one hour, eight minutes and four seconds. TAC’s Yam Kumari Bhujel was third in one hour, 18 minutes and 59 seconds. Gurung and KC also bagged silver and bronze medals respectively in SA meet.

Meanwhile, TAC’s Man Bahadur Thapa won gold medal in duathlon with the timing of one hour, one minute and 39 seconds, while APF’s Kiran Kumar Malla came second in one hour, three minutes and 45 second. TAC’s Achyut Parajuli was third in one hour, three minutes and 51 seconds. The event included 5km running, 20km cycling and 2.5km running.

In women’s category, TAC’s Manju Kumari Khadka won gold medal in one hour, 17 minutes and 50 seconds, while Pushpa Kumari Bhandari finished second in 1:18:20. Likewise, Nitesh Manandhar (1:01:41) and Roja KC (1:08:04) won junior section gold medals.