By IANS
London: Indian walker Irfan Kolothum Thodi put on an impressive performance here Saturday to finish 10th in the Olympic men’s 20 km race walk with a national record here at The Mall Saturday.
The 22-year-old army man clocked 1:20.21, finishing one minute 35 seconds behind winner and gold medallist Ding Chen of China. Erick Barrondo clinched silver with 1:18.57 while Chinese Zhen Wang took bronze with a time of 1:19.25.
Other Indians who participated in the race were 27-year-old Gurmeet Singh, who finished 33rd in 1:23.34 while Baljinder Singh reached the finishing line in 1:25.39 in 43rd position.
Thodi started the race well and was in touching distance of the race leader more than halfway into the race. The 22-year-old was only 17 seconds behind after 16 kms.
The leaders increased their speed towards the end which the Indian could not match, but finished in a respectable position.