Sahil, Ravina take top honours in Indian Open

Home boy Sahil stunned his more fancied rivals to clinch the inaugural men’s half marathon walk (21km) on the second and final day of the 13th Indian Open race walk competition at the Sukhna Lake on Sunday (February 22, 2026).

While Akshdeep Singh appeared to have initially won, the Punjab walker was penalised four minutes, pushing him to seventh spot. The 24-year-old Sahil clocked 1:25:48 to push Asian Championships medallist Servin Sebastian to second spot, just two seconds behind. Akshdeep Singh had won this race, but due to a penalty, four minutes were added to his timing. Akshdeep’s final timing was registered as 1:27:37.

Haryana’s Ravina took the honours in the women’s half-marathon, winning in 1:39:15.00 to extend her unbeaten run at home. The 29-year-old had earlier won the Indian Open last year (20km) along with the National Games and the Inter-State Championships to stamp her authority over the distance.

The results

Men: Half-marathon (21km) walk: 1. Sahil (Pun, 1:25:48), 2. Servin Sebastian (TN, 1:25:50), 3. Hardeep (Har, 1:26:03); U-20 5km race walk: 1. Tushar Panwar (Utk, 19:59), 2. Himanshu Panwar (Utk, 20:08), 3. Praveen (Raj, 20:12).

Women: Half-marathon (21km) walk: 1. Ravina (Har, 1:39:15), 2. Munita Prajapati (UP, 1:39:26), 3. Mansi Negi (Utk, 1:42:58); U-20 5km race walk: 1. Manisha (Raj, 23:24), 2. Yogita (Har, 23:49), 3. Simran Gusain (Utk, 23:58).