Deborah finished her campaign in style by securing two more gold medals in the Track Asia Cup cycling event, which concluded at the Indira Gandhi velodrome here on Sunday.
Deborah thwarted a late challenge from Kazakh rider Tatyana Zadnepryanova to take the top honour in the women’s keirin event. She beat compatriot Kezia Vargheese to grab the sprint gold as well.
In the elite events, India gathered a total of five gold, four silver and five bronze medals.
Deborah was in complete control throughout the keirin competition. As she increased her pace with a lap to go, Zadnepryanova attacked her in the final few meters. However, Deborah was prepared for the challenge and withstood the pressure to clinch the title by 0.01 second.
“I sensed it when she was about to increase her pace. I was prepared for it and was determined to maintain my pace and stay ahead,” said Deborah.
“I was not well during the previous Asia Cup in Thailand last month and could not perform well. However, my performance here has given me some confidence to do well in bigger events,” she said.
In the men’s keirin event, Amarjeet Singh Nagi’s spectacular performance to get past two Thai riders on the home stretch and cross the line behind winner Pavel Vorzhev turned out to be a disheartening affair as he was relegated to the sixth place for having ridden on the blue band while overtaking from left.
The results (Indians unless stated): Men: Sprint: 1. Pavel Vorzhev (Kaz); 2. Amarjeet Singh Nagi; 3. Pongthep Tapimay (Tha). Keirin: 1. Pavel Vorzhev (Kaz); 2. Worayut Kapunya (Tha); 3. Satjakul Sianglam (Tha).
Team pursuit: 1. Hong Kong (Siu Wai Ko, Burr Ho); 2. Kazakhstan (Roman Vassilenkov, Pazylbek Zaksylyk); 3. India (Amrit Singh, Manjeet Singh).
Junior men: Sprint: 1. Chakhree Khuruthangkha (Tha); 2. Prabhsimran Singh; 3. Maximillian Mitchelmore (Hkg).
Women: Sprint: 1. Deborah; 2. Kezia Vargheese; 3. Tatyana Zadnepryanova (Kaz). Keirin: 1. Deborah; 2. Tatyana Zadnepryanova (Kaz); 3. T. Sonia Devi.
Junior women: 1. Sarinthip Diow-Archakun (Tha), 2. Wing Yee Leung (Hkg), 3. Sona Raj.
