KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Priyanka Goswami scripted history in women’s 10000m racewalking event
- Priyanka became first Indian woman to win a CWG medal in racewalking after clinching a silver medal
- She hoped that it is the start of something big in India as far as the sport is concerned
Priyanka Goswami scripted history on Saturday becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at Commonwealth Games in racewalking as she clinched a silver in the 10000 metre event. Priyanka finished with a personal best of 43 minutes and 38 seconds in the 10km racewalking event as she finished in the second place behind Australia’s Jemima Montag.
Priyanka was leading the race for the first 4000 meters before being taken over by Montag and Kenya’s Emily Ngii for the next 4kms. Priyanka then recovered in the last two kilometers to finish 64 seconds behind Montag. By the virtue of this win, she became only the second Indian to win a CWG medal in the event after Harminder Singh, who won a bronze in 2010.
After the silver medal win, Priyanka hoped that the medal will open the doors to racewalking in India. “It feels good i was able to win a medal in racewalking, as in India, not many people know about the sport. So after this medal, people will know that there is a sport called racewalking,” she said after the event.
Priyanka, a former gymnast also opened up about her shift to athletics saying that since running was always part of her regime, she got a liking towards the sport.
“When i was in gymnastics, there were fitness trials that included running. So from there, I wanted to join athletics. So from then I had the urge to make the switch to athletics, but then I took a break for studies.
“So when I restarted, there were a few initial problems that i faced in athletics like anyone else at the beginning. But step by step, I got solutions and support and now everything is going on smoothly,” she added.
Priyanka said that slowly she will start focussing towards the Paris Olympics while saying that it will take time for this history-making medal win to sink in for her.
“Right now, I still can’t believe that i have won a medal. But i feel happy that I have created history as a woman has never won a medal for the nation in racewalking. When I was talking to my chief coach, he was saying I will win a medal. But I told him I would win the medal and I will create history for sure this time,” she said.
