Asian Track Cycling Championships: India fail to secure any medal on Day 3

New Delhi [India], Feb. 9 (ANI): Sultanmurat Miraliyev of Kazakhstan secured the gold medal in the Men's Elite category in the 37th Asian Track Cycling Championship 2017 here at the IGI Stadium on Wednesday. Miraliyev gave a splendid performance, finishing in the top five in all the four races (scratch race 10Km, tempo race 10 Km, elimination, points race 25 km). London Olympics bronze-medallist Lee Wai Sze of Hong Kong advanced to the semi-finals of the Women's Elite sprint event. Lee had previously secured gold for Hong Kong in Women's Elite 500m time trial event, and has been touted as one the highest-ranked and experienced riders of the championship. She is also expected to win gold in the sprint event. However, India's search for a gold or silver medal at the championship continues to draw a blank. The growing event 'cycling' in India couldn't give any medal to India at the end of third day of the championship but Indian cyclists won the hearts by giving their best ever performances. It was a day that promised so much yet ended in utter disappointment with many high profile exits. Indian's ace cyclist Deborah Herold again disappointed the countrymen when she lost out to Jun Hong Lin of China in Women's Elite Sprint event. Herold qualified for the pre-quarterfinals of the event, but eventually lost. She held onto her position till the second last lap, and tried her best to chase Lin, but her efforts went up in vain. "Deborah has just graduated to the senior ranks, and it takes at least 5-6 years to reach the very best in the Elite category," pointed out RK Sharma, head coach of the Indian team. "As per her training, she has performed superbly" he added. The team is still hoping for a medal from her in the Women Elite Keirin event, to be held on the last day of the championship." Kerala girl Aleena Reji, India's lone medallist in the championship, also lost her quarterfinal race in the Women Junior sprint event to Seolhwa Jeong of Korea. As for her performance, Reji said, "I was hoping a hattrick of Bronze for me, I performed better than I expected to. I have recorded better timings in the sprint events, so I was hoping for a better time but unfortunately lost the race." Sanuraj P of India, created a new national record in Men's Elite 1Km time trial event with a timing of 1: 06. 507s, but he failed to convert it into a medal. (ANI)