Asian Games 2018: Dutee Chand Ran With Her Eyes Closed to Win Silver Medal; PM Narendra Modi & Others Hail the Athlete

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand walked away with the silver medal in the 100-meter race at the ongoing Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta on Sunday. Dutee Chand completed the second race in 11.32 seconds to finish second in the race. She was dropped from the Commonwealth Games 2014 contingent due to hyperandrogenism policy. But it was due to the Court of Arbitration (CAS), Dutee Chand achieved the biggest success of her career.

“In the semifinals, the first 20 metres, I did not push much and coach pointed out that ‘you have to make a better beginning. So in the final, I rushed the first 40 metres. I was running with eyes closed, whether medal comes or not, I wanted to better my timing. When I opened my eyes, the race was over. I did not know what has happened. People said you have won a medal, but I did not believe, I did not pick flag until I saw the result on display screen,” she said to the reporters.

After bagging the silver, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Dutee Chand. He took to Twitter and wrote, “Seems like a great run for our runners in the #AsianGames2018.  The phenomenally talented Dutee Chand wins a Silver in the Women's 100 m event. Well done! @asiangames2018.”

“What a day for India in athletics! In a Magnificent run, India’s Dutee Chand won SILVER medal in Women's 100 m with a timing of 11.32sec. KUDOS to you Champion! #AsianGames2018 #KheloIndia #IndiaAtAsianGames,” read Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore’s tweet.

India now has 36 medals in its kitty and is currently placed on number 9 of the medal tally. India has 7 gold, 9 silver and 19 bronze medals. China leads the medal tally with 175 accolades in their kitty.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2018 11:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).