ISSO National Athletics Meet Ends in Glory at Tau Devi Lal Stadium
Over 800 student-athletes competed at the ISSO National Athletics Championship in Gurugram. Discover the winners and star performers here.
The Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurugram recently transformed into a hub of energy and athleticism as it hosted the ISSO National Athletics Championship. Organized by the International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO), the three-day extravaganza saw approximately 800 student-athletes from 104 schools across India battle it out for glory on the track and in the field.
The competition was divided into Under-14, Under-17, and Under-19 categories for both boys and girls, providing a high-stakes platform for young talent to test their limits and chase personal bests.
Inspiration from a Paralympian
The championship kicked off with a grand opening ceremony, where the athletes were greeted by Chief Guest Rampal Chahar. The celebrated Indian Paralympian and Asian Para Games medallist served as a beacon of motivation during the flag-hoisting and march-past.
Addressing the gathering, Chahar emphasized the importance of athletic discipline and perseverance, urging the students to embrace the challenges of the sport to achieve success on the global stage.
"At ISSO, our mission is to build robust, professional, and world-class sporting platforms for student-athletes in international schools," stated Gaurav Dixit, Director of ISSO. "Watching young boys and girls across the U-14, U-17, and U-19 divisions shatter personal bests and push their boundaries at Tau Devi Lal Stadium is a testament to the rising standard of school sports in India."
The Battle for the Trophy: School Standings
While individual brilliance was on full display, the overall team competition was fierce. Sanjay Ghodawat International School dominated the leaderboard to emerge as the Overall School Champion, amassing a commanding total of 176 points.
The race for the podium was closely contested, with the final standings as follows:
- Champions: Sanjay Ghodawat International School (176 points)
- First Runner-up: Indus International School, Hyderabad (109 points)
- Second Runner-up: CS Academy International (77 points)
Star Performers and Record-Breaking Feats
The championship witnessed several athletes dominating multiple events, showcasing extraordinary versatility and strength.
Under-14 Division: The Rising Stars
In the boys' category, Jaxon Keats Hall from The British School, New Delhi, was a force to be reckoned with, securing gold in the 100m (11.76s), 200m (24.34s), and the 4x100m Relay. Jayden Pereira of St. Stanislaus International School also shone brightly, winning gold in the 400m (58.55s) and silver in both the 100m and 200m.
In the field, Dev Eeshwar Kalaimani of Vaels International School claimed double gold in Shot Put (11.96m) and Discus Throw (39.79m).
Among the girls, Utkarshini Bhovad of Brainiacs International displayed incredible endurance, winning three gold medals in the 200m (27.02s), 400m (1:03.46), and 600m (1:49.65). Keya Patel of Ahmedabad International School matched this feat with a triple-gold finish in the 80m Hurdles (12.44s), Long Jump (4.94m), and High Jump (1.40m).
Under-17 Division: Power and Precision
Zohraab Abraham K of Neev Academy delivered one of the most impressive performances of the meet, clinching gold in the 200m (22.49s), 400m (50.27s), and 110m Hurdles (15.59s). Meanwhile, Om Eeshwar Kalaimani of Vaels International School asserted his dominance in the throwing circle, winning gold in both Shot Put (16.18m) and Discus Throw (37.03m).
Under-19 Division: The Elite Tier
The senior category saw Mukund Verma of NH Goel World School excel in jumping events, taking gold in Long Jump (6.66m) and Triple Jump (13.73m), along with a bronze in the 100m.
Indus International School, Bengaluru, saw standout performances from Vishal Prajwal, who won gold in the 110m Hurdles (16.78s) and Javelin Throw (44.87m), and a silver in High Jump. His teammate Pranay Singhal also added to the tally with gold medals in Discus Throw (33.61m) and Hammer Throw (35.51m).