An emerging talent in Indian cycling

Harshita Jakhar has achieved something rare in Indian cycling this season. The 18-year-old won a second consec utive bronze at the Asian (Junior) Road Cycling Championships in February.

- Abishek Roy

A medal in a road cycling event that tests endurance and speed in tough conditions is a feat unmatched in Indian cycling. Harshita first finished on the podium in individual time trial at the Asian junior meet in Kazakhstan last year, repeating it this year in Thailand.

In individual time trial, riders race solo and their position is decided on their timing, the fastest finishing first. On track, she fared better, winning four medals in junior events at the Asian Track Cycling Championships in Malaysia in February. The two meets (road and track) were scheduled within a fortnight, and Harshita in between even found time to come to India and write her 12th exams.

The performances have set her apart, being marked as an 'exceptional talent' to be groomed under the Target Asian Games Group programme. Teenagers Maya Rajeswaran in tennis and Kartik Singh in golf are the other juniors picked in this category. Their progress will be monitored in this Olympic cycle.