Team Herald
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TALEIGAO: Vishnu Meena, Shivani Wadekar and a host of young athletes shone at the Goa State Cross Country Championship 2025, organised by the Goa Athletics Association at the Goa University playground, with 70 runners from across the State taking part.
In the men’s 10km race, Vishnu Meena finished first, followed by Suraj Velip and Nikhil Gaude, while Shivani Wadekar claimed the women’s 10km title ahead of Asmita Topno and Kuruksha Kuttikar. Sonu Yadav topped the U-20 boys’ 8km event, with Chandrahas Velip and Yash Gaonkar finishing second and third, while Rushala Gawander won the U-20 girls’ 6km race ahead of Pradnya Gosavi and Suvani Gaonkar. Rahul Bishnoy led the U-18 boys’ 6km field, followed by Yash Naik and Yamanappa Harijan. In the U-16 boys’ 2km race, Samuel Jadhav took first place, with Rehan Haveri and Mithilesh Vibhute next, while Kritika Gawas emerged winner in the U-16 girls’ 2km event, ahead of Alana Da-Gama and Aishu Chowdhary.
The prize distribution was attended by Dr Namdev Chopdekar, Abdul Shaikh, former athlete Rajsingh Rane, senior vice-president of the association, Dr Sahadev Mandrekar, selection committee chairman, Bhalchandra Jagar, PE director, and Vrunda Vernekar, technical committee chairperson. Goa Athletics Association secretary Sharendra Naik welcomed the guests, Rajsingh Rane proposed the vote of thanks, and Candice Fernandes compered the function.
