BATHINDA (PUNJAB): Akashdeep Singh has made Punjab proud.
The athlete from Barnala district has set a new national record in the 20-km walk with a time of 1.19.55.
With it Akashdeep — who hails from Kahneke village — has qualified for the Olympic Games, World Championships and Asian Games.
This is India's first quota in athletics for Paris 2024 — Summer Olympics — and the fourth Indian athlete overall to qualify for the Games.
Punjab sports minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said, "This is a proud moment for Punjab."
Singh, who is preparing under the supervision of the coaches of the sports department at Baba Kala Mehar Stadium Barnala, set the new national record in the 10th Indian Open Race Walking competition in Ranchi (Jharkhand).
Earlier, the record was in the name of Sandeep Kumar with a timing of 1:20.16 set on February 13, 2021.
