Dutee wins bronze in Asian GP, loses her car

Leading a 16-member Indian athletics squad in the first of the three-leg Asian Grand Prix 2017, ace Odisha sprinter Dutee Chand won the women’s 100 metre bronze medal with a timing of 11.59 seconds at Jinhua in China today.

But amidst the success, Dutee received a shock as her Nano car, which was presented to her by the then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in 2013, was set on fire by unidentified miscreants at Gopalpur village, her native place, in Jajpur district the previous night.

The car held importance for Dutee as it was the first four-wheeler presented to her as prize in her athletics career. At that time, she had faced a lot of difficulties to bring the vehicle to Odisha and was eventually helped by Odisha Cricket Association’s the then secretary Ashirbad Behera.