SAAF 2025: India Dominates with 32 Medals, National Anthem Echoes Across Ranchi Stadium

India maintained its dominance on the second day of the 4th South Asian Senior Athletics Championship 2025, held at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi. With 12 gold, 14 silver, and 6 bronze medals on Saturday, India’s total tally rose to 32 medals, reaffirming its top position in the championship.

Every time an Indian athlete clinched gold, the stadium resonated with the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’, filling the air with pride and energy.

India Leads, Sri Lanka and Nepal Follow

Sri Lanka remained in second place with 23 medals, including eight golds, while Nepal stood third with three bronze medals. Athletes from six South Asian nations India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Bangladesh are competing in this three-day championship.

India’s Strong Performances

The day witnessed several spectacular performances by Indian athletes:

• Women’s 1500m: Sanjana Singh won gold with a time of 4:25.34 minutes.
• Men’s 400m: Neeraj Pathak clinched gold, finishing in 46.21 seconds.
• Women’s 400m: Olimba Stephy added another gold to India’s tally.
• Women’s Discus Throw: Sonam took gold with a throw of 55.34 meters, followed by Dinesh V. who claimed silver with 52.22 meters.
• Men’s Shot Put: Samardeep Gill created a new meet record with a 19.59-meter throw.

Records Fall, Excitement Peaks

The championship also saw new meet records, including Sri Lanka’s Mohammad Yamik, who clocked 11.53 seconds in the women’s 100m sprint to set a new record.

The energy inside the stadium remained unmatched. Packed stands, cheering crowds, and vibrant flag-waving turned the Birsa Munda Stadium into a festival of athletics. Spectators celebrated every finish line, every throw, and every national anthem that followed India’s victories.

Championship to Conclude Today

The three-day event concludes on Sunday, October 26, with 16 gold medals still up for grabs. The Speaker of the Jharkhand Assembly is expected to attend the closing ceremony.

With India’s strong lead and a string of record-breaking performances, the championship has showcased the growing depth of South Asian athletics and Ranchi’s capability to host major international sporting events.