Indian athletes Manichandra Singh won the men’s and Samira Abraham claimed women’s gold medals in the sixth South Asian Triathlon Championships in Pokhara on Saturday.

Singh clocked 58 minutes 2 seconds to secure gold in men’s triathlon comprising on 750m swimming, 10km cycling and 5km running. His compatriot Bishworjit Saikham took silver with the timings of 59:57 while Basanta Chaudhary of Nepal bronze in 1:01:02. Abraham won the women’s event in 1:04:50 ahead of compatriot Pragna Mohan (1:08:42). Sony Gurung of Nepal took bronze in 1:13:8.   

In the men’s open, the same three — Singh, Saikham and Chaudhary secured top three finishes. But Ishwara of Spain won the women’s open gold with the timings of 1:3:34. Abraham and Mohan secured silver and bronze medals.  

Tribhvuan Army Club athletes clean swept the men’s event under the eighth National Triathlon Championships. Army’s Basanta Chaudhary (1:01:02), Dipesh Chaudhary (1:01:18) and Rudra Katuwal (1:04:43) secured top three finishes. The women’s event saw Soni Gurung (1:13:08) of Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club clinch gold medal. The 2016 South Asian Games (SAG) individual bronze medalist and team event silver medalist Roja KC of Kathmandu was restricted to silver after timing 1:17:33.  Army athlete Yam Kumari Bhujel claimed bronze in 1:24:01.

Army athlete Man Bahadur Thapa claimed gold in men’s duathlon event comprising of 5km running, 10km cycling followed by another 2.5km running. Thapa timed 54:17 to finish ahead of Kiran Malla (55:39) of APF. APF athletes Huma Budha Magar (1:10:09) won gold and Pratima Chaudhary (1:15:23) silver in the women’s category.