Pune’s Avantika Narale wins gold in Asian Youth Athletics Championship

The fastest female athlete of Asian Youth Championship was Avantika Santhosh Narale, who clocked a timing of 11.97 seconds in 100m sprint.

Pune girl, Avantika Santosh Narale, came out with her personal best record of 11.97 seconds, to clinch the gold medal in 100-metre running at the Asian Youth Athletics Championship in Hong Kong on Saturday.

Avantika Santosh Narale clocked 11.97s in the women’s 100m sprint to clinch the gold medal in Asian Youth Athletics Championship on Saturday. (HT PHOTO)

A class 10, student of Lonkar Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Narale beat her opponent Hanae Aoyama of Japan.

“I had expected a podium finish, but not a gold medal. My wish has been that she (Avantika) finishes her run in under 11 seconds, so I am happy that she did better than her previous personal best,” said Sudhakar Memane, Narale’s coach.

Along with Memane, Sanjay Patankar is also Narale’s coach, who trains at Baburao Sanas Ground.

“After watching her performance in the heats and semi-final, I was sure she will win a medal. Credit goes to the coaches,” said Santosh Narale, Avantika’s father.