NEW DELHI: India's mixed relay team, featuring Akshdeep Singh and Priyanka Goswami, secured their berth for the Paris Olympics following their commendable performance at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Antalya, Turkey.
Their 18th place finish earned them automatic qualification among the top 22 teams for the prestigious event.
Clocking a personal best time of 3:05:03 over the challenging 42.195 km distance, the Indian duo showcased remarkable endurance and determination.
The unique format of the mixed team relay walk saw alternating distances covered by the man and woman, with each leg comprising 10 km for the woman and 12.195 km for the man, separated by 20-meter changeovers.
The Italian team of Francesco Fortunato and Valentina Trapletti clinched the gold medal with a stellar timing of 2:56:45, also setting a personal best record.
Japan's Koki Ikeda and Kumiko Okada secured silver with their personal best time of 2:57:04, while the bronze went to Spain's Alvaro Martin and Laura Garcia-Caro, finishing in 2:57:47.
(With PTI inputs)
