Saraswati Saha

Saraswati Dey-Saha (born 23 November 1979) is an Indian former track and field sprinter from Tripura. She holds the current 200 metres national record of 22.82 seconds set at the National Circuit Athletic Meet held in Ludhiana on 28 August 2002.[1] She broke the previous mark held by Rachita Mistry since July 2000. In doing so, Saraswati became the first Indian woman to break 23-second barrier in 200 metres.[2] The highlight of her career was the gold medal she won at the 2002 Busan Asian Games.[3]

Saraswati Saha
Personal information
Full nameSaraswati Dey-Saha
Nationality India
Born (1979-11-23) 23 November 1979
Manurmukh, Belonia, Tripura, India
Height1.54 m (5 ft 1⁄2 in)
Weight53 kg (117 lb; 8.3 st)
Sport
CountryIndia
SportRunning
Event(s)100 metres, 200 metres
ClubIndian Railways
RetiredYes
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)100 m: 11.40
(Jakarta 2000)
200 m: 22.82 NR
(Ludhiana 2000)
Medal record
Asian Games
2002 Busan 200 metres

Rachita represented India in 4×100 metres relay together with P. T. Usha, E. B. Shyla, and Rachita Mistry at the 1998 Asian Championships in Athletics where her team won the gold medal on way to setting the current national record of 44.43 s.[4][5] Later in the 4 x 100 metres relay at 2000 Sydney Olympics her team - consisting of V. Jayalakshmi, Vinita Tripathi, and Rachita Mistry - clocked a time of 45.20 s in the first round. The team finished last in their heats.[6][7] She also competed in 200 m at 2004 Athens Olympics, where she clocked a time of 23.43 s in the heats.[8]

In 2002, she was conferred the Arjuna Award for her contribution to the Indian athletics.[9] Saraswati quit competitive athletics in July 2006 owing to the injury to her Achilles tendon, occurred after the Busan Asian Games.[10]

National titles
  • All-India Open National Championships
    • 100 metres: 2000, 2002, 2003[11]
    • 200 metres: 2002, 2003

International competitions
Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  India
1998 Asian Championships Fukuoka, Japan 1st 4 × 100 m NR
2000 Asian Championships Jakarta, Indonesia 2nd 100 m

References
  1. "Official Website of Athletics Federation of India: NATIONAL RECORDS as on 21.3.2009". Athletics Federation of INDIA. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  2. "Saraswati breaks 23-second barrier". The Hindu. 29 August 2002. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  3. "Saraswati Saha, Neelam J Singh win gold". indiaexpress.com. 10 October 2002. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  4. Vijaykumar, C.N.R (15 December 1998). "After the feast, the famine". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
  5. "National records" (PDF). ATHLETICS FEDERATION of INDIA. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  6. "Sydney2000 Results: Official Results - 4 X 100 METRES - Women - Round 1". IAAF. Archived from the original on 16 September 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  7. "Saraswati Dey-Saha - Biography and Olympics results". Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  8. "Olympic Games 2004 - Results 08-23-2004 - 200 Metres W Heats". IAAF. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  9. "Arjuna Awardees". Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Archived from the original on 25 December 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  10. "Saraswati calls it quits". The Indian Express. 1 August 2006. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  11. "Indian Championships and Games". gbrathletics.com. Retrieved 6 September 2009.


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