Age is no bar when it comes to sports. In the recently concluded 3rd National Masters Athletics Championship 2021 held in Varanasi between November 27 to 30.Jharkhand bagged dozen medals in various categories. Participants were in the age group of 45 and above. In all, Jharkhand athletes bagged 5 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze during the four-day event organised by National Masters' Athletics Association (NMAA) under the aegis of Uttar Pradesh Masters Athletics Association (UPNMA).

While East Singhbhum's NB Rai bagged gold in 400 m in the 80-plus age group, Seraikela-Kharsawan's Sikandar Mahato walked home with the yellow metal in 5,000 m (45-plus age group). Others who bagged gold medals included Ranchi's Laxman Upadhya (100 m and 200 m in 75-plus age section) and Gumla's SK. Quadir Khan who aced in the 200 m sprint (85 age group)

Rai also finished with the silver in 200 m sprint, besides pocketing bronze in 100 m. Achinto Pramanik of Seriakela-Kharsawan won the 5000 m silver in the 65-plus age group whereas Upadhya added the 400 m silver to his two gold medals in 100 m and 200 m sprints.

Bronze medal winners from Jharkhand included West Singhbhum's Vimal Kispotta (400 m in 40-plus section), Lakshmidhar Pakal 5,000 m in 65-plus age group) and Latehar's Manoj Kumar Das (400 m in 75-plus age section).

Masters Athletes Association of Jharkhand president Avinash Soren has congratulated the medal winners.