R. Dhanalakshmi, an advocate practising in the Madras High Court and resident of Periyapalli Street in R. A. Puram was part of the athletics team that won a silver medal in the 22nd Asian Masters Athletics Championships held at Philippines from November 8 to 12.
She was part of the 4×100 mts relay team that bagged the silver medal. The other members of the team were Tessie Joseph, Deepa and Jemma Joseph.
Athletes in the age group of 30 to 100 years are eligible to participate in the championship. This event is held once in two years and this is the first time that Dhanalakshmi has taken part in it.
“It was a dream come true for me and I had a great experience,” said the champion athlete.
Dhanalakshmi and 10 other medallists from Chennai were invited by the state sports minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin last week, to his office-cum-residence on Greenways Road and they were felicitated.
Dhanalakshmi also took part in the 100 metres, 200 metres and long jump events but she came sixth in the 100 and 200 metres events and fifth in the long jump.
Some 300 athletes from India took part and India topped the championship with 209 medals including 68 gold medals.
The next stage is the World Meet at Sweden to be held sometime in August 2024.
Dhanalakshmi has set her sights on that event and she will get back to some intense training soon. She has won medals in state and national level meets for seniors.
– Report by Juliana Sridhar
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