Manipur’s Ace Cyclist Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam Created National Record at Asian Track Cycling Championship

NEW DELHI: At the Asian Track Cycling Championship in Niali, Malaysia, on Thursday, Indian cyclist Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam set a new national record for the men's spring qualification with a time of 9.877 seconds.

In the men's sprint, Ronaldo, a TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) participant, came in 10th and qualified for round 16.

Taking on Twitter Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu extend his best wishes and said, “Heartiest congratulations to ace cyclist #RonaldoSinghLaitonjam for creating a national record in men’s sprint qualification at #AsianTrackCyclingChampionship, Niali, Malaysia. Not only #Manipur but the entire #NorthEast is proud of you. Best wishes!”

Ronaldo Singh won a silver medal in the men's sprint competition at the Asian Championships held in New Delhi the year before. At the continental competition, it was India's first-ever individual silver medal.

Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam also won an individual bronze in the 1 km time trial division in addition to the historic silver. He also competed on the men's sprint team that took home the bronze medal the previous season.

In the senior division, India finished the previous Asian championships with a total of nine medals, including one silver and eight bronze.

The Asian championships this year kicked off on Wednesday and go until June 19. Aside from medals, riders hoping to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics can earn important qualification points at the Asian Track Cycling Championship in 2023.

The 21-year-old Manipur athlete who was competing at the National Velodrome in Nilai enhanced his personal NR by 0.033s.

Ronaldo made history in the most recent competition in New Delhi by being the first Indian cyclist to take home silver in a continental competition for seniors.

In the sprint competition, he had come in second. He had also won bronze in the team sprint and the 1 km time trial competitions in the same competition.

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