Swapna Barman wins India’s first gold medal in Heptathlon Athletics in Asian Games

Indian athlete Swapna Barman (21) won gold medal in women’s Heptathlon Athletics event at 18th edition of Asian Games held in Jakarta-Palembang in Indonesia. She accumulated total of 6026 points to finish on top of podium in the final of the event. With this, she became first Indian to win gold medal in heptathlete event in Asian Games.  Qingling Wang from China won silver medal with a point tally of 5954 and Yuki Yamasaki of Japan won bronze medal with a score of 5873 points.

Heptathlon
It is seven-event contest which covers range of track and field events and is spread over two days. The first day comprises 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m, while day two has long jump, javelin and 800m.

Swapna Barman

She hails from Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Her father works as van rickshaw puller and her mother works as labourer in tea estate. She is supported by GoSports Foundation through Rahul Dravid Athlete Mentorship Programme. She has six toes on each of her foot.
Medals won
Gold medal: 2017 Bhubaneswar Asian Championships
Gold medal: 2017 New Delhi Federation cup.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2018