Sanjivani Jadhav Triumphs in Mumbai Marathon Debut
Sanjivani Jadhav created a remarkable story at the Mumbai Marathon. She was not simply running her first Mumbai Marathon like her male counterpart Kartik Karkera. For Jadhav, a specialist in the 5000m and 10000m track events, this marked her very first attempt at the full 42-kilometer marathon distance.
A Decisive Victory Against Strong Competition
The 29-year-old athlete from Nashik turned her debut into a triumphant victory. She crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 49 minutes, and 2 seconds. This made her the fastest Indian woman in the race. Her win had special significance as it denied Nirmaben Thakor a hat-trick of titles in the Indian elite women's category.
Thakor finished a close second with a time of 2:49:13. Sonam secured the third spot on the podium, clocking 2:49:24. The contest remained tight until the very end. Jadhav made her decisive move to break away from Thakor with just 300 meters left in the race.
Overcoming Past Challenges
This victory held deep personal meaning for Jadhav, who works as a taluka sports officer. She had to overcome a significant professional setback. A few years ago, she served a two-year doping ban after testing positive for the masking agent Probenecid. All her competitive results from June 29, 2018, onward were annulled as part of a retrospective suspension handed down in 2019.
Despite this past adversity, Jadhav felt confident during the race. She believed she had secured the win after conquering the challenging Pedder Road hill section. "I had this strong feeling that I will win. After 35 km, I knew I was going to win gold," Jadhav said after her victory.
Future Goals and Asian Games Ambition
Jadhav is no stranger to success on the Asian stage. She won a bronze medal in the 5000m at the 2017 Asian Championships. She clarified that her marathon victory would not change her primary athletic objectives. Her focus remains firmly on qualifying for the Asian Games in her specialist track events, the 5000m and 10000m.
The Mumbai Marathon provided a platform for a stunning comeback story. Sanjivani Jadhav proved her resilience and talent, claiming a major title in her very first marathon attempt and halting a champion's bid for a third straight crown.
