Chaphekar and Harjinder brave injuries to titles

Maharashtra's Mayank Chaphekar, India's first Modern Pentathlon athlete to participate in the Hangzhou Asian Games, had injured his shin bone in China when an epee sword pierced it. The 23-year-old from near Thane underlined his dominance at domestic level by winning gold in men's individual triathle, group triathle and mixed relay triathle at the 37th National Games in Ponda on Friday.

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Chaphekar, who has participated in two Modern Pentathlon World and Asian Championships each, made the most of the opportunity in Modern Pentathlon's National Games debut. Triathle is a sub-sport in Modern Pentathlon where athletes have to run 5x600m laps, swim 4x50m laps and shoot a laser gun at a 10m target.

Chaphekar, braving pain in his leg, said, "Due to my injury I couldn't run at 100%, but I was determined to clinch gold as I was disappointed after my performance in the Laser Run yesterday.

"This win was extra special as this was the first time my mother has come to watch me compete," he said. "I have faced my fair share of setbacks with injuries, but this is a challenge that is part of being a professional sportsperson."

Harjinder chases job