
Key Points for SSC, UPSC & Other Govt Exams
- Priyanka Goswami won gold in the womenтАЩs 10 km racewalk at the Austrian Racewalking Championships 2025 in Innsbruck.
- She clocked 47:54, securing her first win of the season.
- In the menтАЩs 35 km racewalk, Sandeep Kumar won silver (2:38:45) and Ram Baboo bagged bronze (2:41:47).
- Jarom├нr Mor├бvek (Czech Republic) won gold in menтАЩs 35 km with 2:34:41.
- Sandeep Kumar is IndiaтАЩs 50 km racewalk national record holder and a 2020 Tokyo Olympian; he also won bronze at 2022 Commonwealth Games (10,000m).
- Ram Baboo holds the Indian 35 km racewalk record (2:29:56).
Complete Details
Indian Racewalkers Shine at Austrian Championships 2025
Indian athletes showcased remarkable talent at the Austrian Racewalking Championships 2025, held in Innsbruck, by clinching multiple medals in key events.
Priyanka Goswami’s Gold-Winning Performance
Priyanka Goswami achieved her first victory of the season by winning the womenтАЩs 10 km racewalk. She completed the race in 47 minutes 54 seconds, leaving behind tough competition in the event. This performance reflects her steady comeback and readiness for upcoming international competitions.
Strong Showing by Sandeep Kumar and Ram Baboo
In the menтАЩs 35 km racewalk, Indian racewalkers continued to impress:
- Sandeep Kumar secured silver with a timing of 2:38:45.
- Ram Baboo finished with the bronze, clocking 2:41:47.
The event was won by Jarom├нr Mor├бvek from Czech Republic (2:34:41), while Jerome Caprice of Mauritius came fourth (3:14:05).
Important Records and Achievements
- Sandeep Kumar: Indian record holder in 50 km racewalk; Tokyo 2020 Olympian; 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist (10,000 m racewalk).
- Ram Baboo: Holds the national record in 35 km racewalk (2:29:56).
About Related Country тАФ Czech Republic
- Capital: Prague
- Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK)
- President (2025): Petr Pavel
- Major rivers: Elbe, Vltava
Exam-Style MCQs
1. Who won gold in the womenтАЩs 10 km racewalk at the Austrian Racewalking Championships 2025?
A) Bhawna Jat
B) Priyanka Goswami
C) Sandeep Kumar
D) Ram Baboo
Answer: B) Priyanka Goswami
2. What was the winning time of Priyanka Goswami in the womenтАЩs 10 km racewalk?
A) 47:54
B) 48:12
C) 49:00
D) 46:30
Answer: A) 47:54
3. Who is the Indian national record holder in the 35 km racewalk?
A) Sandeep Kumar
B) Ram Baboo
C) Priyanka Goswami
D) Gurmeet Singh
Answer: B) Ram Baboo
4. Where was the Austrian Racewalking Championships 2025 held?
A) Vienna
B) Salzburg
C) Innsbruck
D) Graz
Answer: C) Innsbruck
5. Which athlete from Czech Republic won gold in the menтАЩs 35 km racewalk?
A) Jarom├нr Mor├бvek
B) Jerome Caprice
C) Sandeep Kumar
D) Jan Zelezny
Answer: A) Jarom├нr Mor├бvek
UPSC-Style FAQs (With Answer Writing Format)
Q1. Discuss the recent achievements of Indian racewalkers at the international level, highlighting their significance for IndiaтАЩs athletics prospects.
Answer:
Indian racewalkers have consistently improved their performance at international platforms, as evident in the Austrian Racewalking Championships 2025. Priyanka Goswami won gold in the womenтАЩs 10 km racewalk (47:54), marking her first seasonal victory and indicating her preparedness for global events like the Asian Games and Olympics. In the menтАЩs 35 km racewalk, Sandeep Kumar and Ram Baboo secured silver and bronze respectively, showcasing IndiaтАЩs growing strength in endurance events. These performances boost IndiaтАЩs athletics profile, inspire grassroots athletes, and demonstrate effective national training strategies for racewalking.
Q2. Evaluate the role of Sandeep Kumar and Ram Baboo in strengthening IndiaтАЩs position in racewalking. How do their records contribute to IndiaтАЩs international standing?
Answer:
Sandeep Kumar and Ram Baboo have played vital roles in elevating IndiaтАЩs status in international racewalking. Sandeep Kumar, a Tokyo 2020 Olympian and 50 km racewalk national record holder, brings experience and consistency. His silver at the Austrian event and earlier Commonwealth Games bronze affirm his reliability at major meets. Ram Baboo, with the national record in 35 km racewalk (2:29:56), represents the emerging talent pool, pushing India towards competitiveness in endurance disciplines. Their records reflect not just individual excellence but also India’s increasing depth in racewalking, a field once dominated by European and East Asian nations.
Q3. How do international performances like those at the Austrian Racewalking Championships help in shaping IndiaтАЩs sports diplomacy and soft power?
Answer:
International sports performances, including at the Austrian Racewalking Championships 2025, enhance IndiaтАЩs soft power by projecting the nation as a rising force in global athletics. Success in niche disciplines like racewalking broadens India’s sports portfolio beyond traditional strengths such as cricket and hockey. Such achievements contribute to positive visibility, foster bilateral sports exchanges, and align with India’s strategic interests in building goodwill through sports diplomacy. This, in turn, can pave the way for greater international cooperation in sports science, training, and infrastructure development.