Sports Global
Nagpur advocate shares his experience of Berlin Marathon 2022
Nagpur advocate Ashish Agrawal partook in the 2022 Berlin Marathon, in Berlin, Germany, on September 25. Recounting his vivid and glorious experiences he said:
Running through the iconic Brandenburg Gate to finish the Berlin Marathon is an emotional affair. A marathon in a city like Berlin cannot be anything but legendary. It holds a special place among runners for being the fastest course. Ashish Agrawal, a city lawyer, who participated in this year’s edition, wrote, “the combination of a flat, fast course, a pack of top-flight pacers and ideal autumn weather has ensured that the event is now regarded as the undisputed WR marathon race. Its claim to fame is cemented by the fact that the last six successive world records for the distance, for men, have been set on the course”
I reached Berlin on Thursday, September 22 and the city was already warming up for the marathon weekend. The pre-marathon event expo was held at the now-defunct Tempelhof airport, one of the oldest airports in the world. The vast airport suddenly looked small when filled with runners waiting to collect their race numbers. The added attraction in shopping, largely related to running, from fancy clothing to accessories and nutritional products, represented a running festival.
Getting 44,000 runners to run through the streets was no easy task. Runners were grouped in four categories and the start time ranged from 9:10 am for the elites to 10:10 am for the back-of-the-pack, where I duly took my place. What was surprising though, was the unflinching support from the volunteers who didn’t move from their positions, until the last one went past them. The equally admirable crowd didn’t relent either and cheerfully supported the runners through the route. Lively music bands were stationed across the route playing vibrant music. The marathon route goes through some of the landmarks of Berlin including the Victory Column, German Chancellery, The Friedrichstadt-Palast, prominent art galleries and museums, Bundestrat, and finally, the Brandenburg Gate appearing between 41 and 42km points. Running through the Gate (built in the 18th century to commemorate peace, it was closed for 28 years following the division of Germany), was something that I have been dreaming about ever since I won the lottery to participate, and the last kilometre was certainly my fastest!
A euphoric finish was rewarded by a wonderfully designed medal — one side featuring the important landmarks of Berlin and the other side the a relatively unknown Eliud Kipchoge. Eliud Kipchoge is the fasted Marathoner in the world, setting a record of 2.01 hours here itself in Berlin. It was a tribute to him. That evening, there were the finishers in the city proudly sporting their finisher tees and medals all the way to their way — the Berlin legends!
Khanak Jain, an eighth-grade student from Delhi Public School, Kamptee Road, Nagpur, has been selected to compete in the 13th Asian Acrobatic Gymnastics Championship 2023, which will be held at Takshant, Uzbekistan.
Khanak had earlier participated in the selection trials for the esteemed championship and managed to impress the selectors with her determination and passion.
Tulika Kedia, President and Pro-Vice Chairperson of DPS Kamptee Road and MIHAN, Nagpur congratulated the grade VIII E student and praised her for her stupendous achievement.
The entire DPS Kamptee Road, Nagpur family is beaming with pride over Khanak’s accomplishments and wish for success in her future endeavors.
Shaunak Badole in Open Group and Divyanshi Khandelwal in Women Group annexed the title of Nagpur District Open and Women Selection Chess Championship organised by Chess Association Nagpur in association with GH Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation on 26th March 2023 in Nagpur.
Shaunak true to his top seeding scored 6.5 points out of seven rounds and emerged winner. Chandrashekhar Sable with a last round draw with Shaunak stood second with 6 points to his credit. Nilay Kulkarni, Sharma Sai and Ayush Ramteke scored 5.5 points and were adjudged 3rd to 5th in the final list.
In the women group, Divyanshi Khandelwal who was seeded fifth at the start of championship had a memorable event scoring all 5 points out of 5 rounds and won the championship. In her march to the top, she scored over the Top Seed Aparneeta Jagtap and Third seed Tijan Gawar. Aparneeta Jagtap and Tijan Gawar with their only loss to Divyanshi were placed second and third respectively with 4 points. Anvi Hirde and Shanaya Shelkar scored 3.5 points and were placed 4th and 5th in the final merit list.
Shaunak Badole, Chandrashekhar Sable, Nilay Kulkarni and Sharma Sai shall represent Nagpur District in Open Group and Divyanshi Khandelwal, Aparneeta Jagtap, Tijan Gawar, Anvi Hirde and Shanaya Shelkar shall represent Nagpur District in Women Group in the Maharashtra State Open and Women Chess Championship to be held later this year.
Prizes were distributed at the hands of Shri Yashwant Shamkuwar, Ex. Secretary of Vidarbha Chess Association who is a Senior player himself. Shri Bhushsan Shriwas, Secretary, Chess Association Nagpur and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and Chief Arbiter IA Deepak Chavan were present on the dais. Top 10 Finishers in Open and Women Group got the Trophies and Medals. Medals were also given to Top player in Under 15,13,11,09,07 Category.
Chief Arbiter IA Deepak Chavan, successfully conducted the event assisted by SNA Sagar Sakhare, SNA Sham Agrawal, SNA Prayas Ambade and Prathamesh Machave.
Also read: Nagpur Youth Congress activists stage protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as MP
Arush Chitre in Open Group and Shraddha Bajaj in Girls Group annexed the title of the Nagpur District Under-17 Open and Girls Chess Championship organised by Chess Association Nagpur on 19th March 2023 in association with GH Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation at Vivekanand Hall at Shraddha House in Nagpur.
Arush Chitre, seeded second, improved his position to achieve the title scoring 6.5 out of 7. Ayush Ramteke also scored 6.5 points but was placed second based on their tie-break score.
In the Girls Group, second seeded Shraddha Bajaj took the top spot with 4.5 points out of 5 Rounds. Fifth seeded Swanandi Sole followed her to take second place in the merit list with 4 points out of five.
Arush Chitre and Ayush Ramteke shall represent the Nagpur District in Open Group and Shraddha Baja and Swanandi sole shall represent Nagpur District in Girls Group in the Maharashtra State Under 17 FIDE Rating Chess Championship to be held at Buldhana from 14th April 2022 to 16th April 2023.
Prizes were distributed at the hands of Swapnil Ahirkar Joint Secretary NCP Business Cell Maharashtra, Social worker & Director Ahirkar Group of Nagpur. Bhushsan Shriwas, Secretary, Chess Association Nagpur and Chief Arbiter Deepak Chavan were present on the dais. Top five finishers in Open and Girls Group got the trophies while medals were given to top two in under 15,13,11,09,07 category.
Deepak Chavan, Chief Arbiter successfully conducted the event assisted by SNA Sagar Sakhare, SNA Prayas Ambade and Prathamesh Machave.
Also read: RCNV holds Rotaract meet with RI Friendship Exchange Team from Mexico
RMBRCN celebrates Charter Presentation & Installation, Rina Sinha becomes Charter President
Nitin Gadkari inaugurates double-decker electric bus availed for senior citizens in Nagpur
Nagpur: Married man accused of girlfriend’s rape commits suicide on Facebook live
NMC confiscates 117 PoP idols, collects Rs 10,000 fine from seller
Jayaswal Neco group celebrate BL Shaw’s 90th Birthday, 50th Founder’s Day in a huge gala event in Nagpur
Queen’s coffin laid to rest in Edinburgh for the night
2 charred to death, 1 injured during funeral in Nagpur
SUV blows up parked cars, climbs on footpath leaving 5 injured at Nagpur’s Panchsheel Chowk
4 arrested for gang raping 30-yr-old at New Delhi railway station
8-yr-old sits by road with brother’s body as father tries to arrange vehicle to return home
Nagpur entrepreneur Siddharth Prasad launches Brew 31
Dance enthusiasts, friends pay tribute in loving memory of Tiki Peters in Nagpur
Nagpur’s who’s who seek Lord Shiva’s blessings during Gupta’s customary Maha Shivratri celebrations
Shivaji Jayanti celebrations held at DPS Kamptee in Nagpur
