MSSA annual inter-school athletics championship: Ved, Madhavi raise the bar!

Ved Pujari en route his U-14 high jump gold medal at the MSSA annual athletics meet recentlwy; (right) Madhavi Yadav during the girls U-14 shot put final at Priyadarshani Park recently. Pics/Atul Kamble

Ved Pujari of Children's Academy (Malad) and Madhavi Yadav of Mary Immaculate Girls High School (Borivli) lit up the arena at Priyadarshani Park (Nepean Sea Road) recently, as both athletes registered New Meet Records (NMR) in high jump and shot put respectively, during the 131st Dream Sports Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) annual inter-school athletics championship.

Thirteen-year-old talent

The 13-year-old Ved, one of the most talented jumpers of his age group, produced a stellar performance in the boys U-14 high jump final. With steely focus and remarkable technique, Ved cleared 1.73 metres, surpassing the previous meet best to enter the record books. The previous meet mark of 1.72 metres had been set in 2012 by Nikhil Shetty of St Lawrence High School (Kandivli). Ved's achievement comes in a highly successful season. Earlier this year, at the CISC Nationals in Bengaluru, he clinched three gold medals in high jump, long jump, and the 80m hurdles events. His consistency and excellence earned him qualification for the prestigious SGFI Nationals, where he went on to secure a bronze medal in high jump with a personal best of 1.77 metres. Saturday's performance at Priyadarshani Park reaffirmed his growing reputation as one of Mumbai's most exciting young athletes.

Stiff competition

Ryley Lobo of Bombay Scottish School (Mahim) and Daksh Patel of Children's Academy (Malad) finished joint second, both clearing 1.50 metres. Vihaan Kishore Yadav of St Francis School ICSE (Borivli) also recorded 1.50m, but was placed fourth on countback.

In the girls U-14 shot put final, Madhavi produced a commanding throw of 10.89 metres, setting a new meet record while comfortably securing first place. Her powerful and technically refined effort went past the previous benchmark of 9.79 metres set by Pristal D'Souza of St Francis School (Borivli) in 2018. Kamaksha Dudhade of Thane Police School (Thane) finished second with a solid 9.61m while Leher Unadkat of Rustomjee International School (Dahisar) took the third spot with her throw of 9.47m.