Dutee Chand makes it two-for-two at Khelo India University Games 2020
The Indian star sprinter won both 100m and 200m golds at the event.
After blitzing her way to the 100m gold at the ongoing inaugural Khelo India University Games on the preceding day, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology’s (KIIT) Dutee Chand romped to the gold in the 200m final as well on Saturday.
Dutee Chand was quick off the blocks and surged ahead to a sizable lead early, outpacing University of Mumbai’s Kirti Vijay Bhoite (24.98 seconds) and Utkal University’s Deepali Mahapatra (25.19 seconds) to clock in with a winning time of 23.66 seconds.
“It feels very good to win the 200m gold,” said the speedster after the race at the Khelo India University Games held in Bhubaneshwar. “In 100m, it's difficult to gauge when to run in full throttle and when to relax a little bit, but in 200m, it's easier to understand when to run at full speed and when to ease out.”
When asked about her preparations for making it to the Olympic Games, Dutee Chand spoke of her rigorous training regimen, which includes swimming, track and gym workouts which stretch from 6 AM to 6 PM daily.
“My mind says I’ll be at the 2020 Olympics, and the public also echoes that sentiment,” the 24-year-old said about her chances of making it to the Games.
A matter of time
The time she set in the 200m at the Khelo India University Games was off her best of 23 seconds-flat set in 2018, which is still 0.20 seconds off the 22.80 seconds cutoff needed to qualify for the 2020 Olympics.
"I think there should be two competitions per month in India. The more competitions take place, the better we will do. Only training will not help, one needs to keep taking part in tournaments as well," she pointed out.
As the Games draw near, Dutee Chand will be hoping to step up her pace even further in order to make the cut.
With the cancellation of the Asian Indoor Championships in Hangzhou (February 12-13) and the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing (March 13-15), Dutee Chand's window of opportunity to better her time is shrinking.
What’s next for Dutee Chand
Dutee Chand will continue pursuing the 2020 Olympics cutoff times in both 100m and 200m at the Indian Grand Prix legs in Sangrur, Patiala and New Delhi in March, as well as the Federation Cup in April.