Nagaland sprinter clocks 10.74 seconds in 100m, wins gold in long jump too

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 26 (EMN): Sprinter and long jumper, Neiketoulie Belho, has created waves at the ongoing 2nd Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2022, after bagging a gold medal each in men’s 100-metre dash and long jump events.

In the track and field events held at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) Kohima on August 23, the 24-year-old athlete from Kohima caught the attention of sports lovers by clocking 10.74 seconds in 100m race to win the gold.

General Secretary of Nagaland Athletic Association (NAA) and director of the event, Khriehutuo Tsira, informed Eastern Mirror that Belho had created a new state record in 100m with his performance at the ongoing sporting event.

However, he said no other state records have been broken except for men’s 100 metres. He added that three officials from the Athletic Federation of India (AFI), who are supervising the games, have verified the same.

Amiya Kumar Mallick of Odisha currently holds the national record for men’s 100 metres with 10.26 seconds which was set in 2016, while Jamaica’s Usain Bolt holds the world record with a timing of 9.58 seconds set in 2009.

Belho, a graduate from Don Bosco College in Kohima, added another feather to his cap on Friday by winning gold in long jump with a leap of 6.71 metres.

Surprisingly, the promising athlete had no formal training in either of the disciplines he excelled in at the state Olympics.

He told Eastern Mirror that he is a self-taught athlete and did not undergo any formal training for the ongoing sporting event. He also said that he does not have any specific training timetable but practices regularly.

The athlete, who also plays badminton, said that that he is looking forward to participating in bigger platforms outside the state and even the Asian Games.

NAA General Secretary, Tsira informed this newspaper that Belho and other athletes from the state will be provided coaching to help them prepare for the upcoming 2nd North East Olympic Games 2022 to be held in Shillong, Meghalaya, from October 30 to November 6 this year.