Making her home crowd proud, Bihar’s rising sprint star Shatakshi Rai clinched the gold medal in the women’s 100-metre race at the Indian Open Athletics Meet 2025, held at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna. She clocked an impressive 12.04 seconds, narrowly defeating Olympian Srabani Nanda, who finished in 12.05 seconds.
The thrilling race saw Shatakshi showcase not just her speed but also her determination, beating one of India’s most experienced sprinters by just 0.01 seconds. This victory marks a significant milestone in her comeback journey following two major ACL surgeries on her left knee — in 2019 and 2023.
Currently pursuing her M.Tech in Bhubaneswar, Shatakshi trains under coach Manikanta Raj at the renowned Kalinga Stadium. She had earlier recorded a personal best of 11.91 seconds at the Indian Grand Prix 2 in Trivandrum, signaling her readiness to compete among the nation’s best.
“My start is still my weak point, but my top speed helps me catch up. I’m working hard to improve my reaction time,” Shatakshi told reporters after her win.
Her recent performances have brought attention to Bihar’s emerging presence in Indian athletics, a state long underrepresented in sprinting events. Shatakshi is now eyeing the National Inter-State Championships in Chennai next month and has set her long-term goals on representing India at the 2026 Asian and Commonwealth Games.
- Event: Indian Open Athletics Meet 2025
- Location: Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna
- Gold Medalist: Shatakshi Rai (100m – 12.04 sec)
- Runner-up: Srabani Nanda (12.05 sec)
- Coach: Manikanta Raj
- Training Base: Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
- Personal Best: 11.91 sec (2025, Trivandrum)
Shatakshi’s victory is not just a personal triumph but a proud moment for Bihar’s sports community. With passion, perseverance, and powerful strides, she’s racing toward national and international glory.
