First batch of Assam contingent to depart Uttarakhand today for 38th National Games

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The first batch of Assam’s contingent, comprising the triathlon team, will depart for Uttarakhand on Tuesday to participate in the 38th National Games, beginning  on January 28. The triathlon events are set to take place in Haldwani.

This year, six athletes from Assam have qualified for the triathlon event: Tushar Deka, Biswajit Deka, Devika Sarma, Nupur Deka, Adwik Hazarika, and Anushka Goswami. They will be accompanied by coach Pooja Chaurushi and manager Arup Kumar Thakuria.

The athletes have undergone intensive training under the guidance of Pooja Chaurushi, a distinguished triathlon coach and seven-time national champion. Chaurushi, who will travel with the team, expressed cautious optimism about their performance while commending their progress during the preparatory camp.

Speaking to The Sentinel about the team’s prospects in the upcoming Games, Chaurushi, the first Indian to win an International triathlon event, said, “It is too early to expect medals from Assam’s athletes at this stage. Our initial goal is to improve our standing in the team events.”

Chaurushi added,“There is immense talent in Assam, but further refinement is necessary for success at the senior level. The coaching camp organized by the Assam Triathlon Association has played a vital role in enhancing the athletes’ skills.”

She also praised the decision to send the team to Uttarakhand in advance, emphasizing that it would allow the athletes to acclimatize to the local conditions, a crucial factor in ensuring peak performance.

A former international athlete herself, Chaurushi recalled her fond memories of the 33rd National Games held in Guwahati, where she clinched a gold medal in her first senior event. “Winning gold in my first senior event was a truly special moment, and the atmosphere in Guwahati during the Games was absolutely fantastic,” she shared.

Also Read: National Games: Assam Olympic Association (AOA) hands over kits to Uttarakhand-bound athletes

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