Lokesh Sathyanathan wins NCAA long jump title with 8.21m
Indian long jumper Lokesh Sathyanathan captured the NCAA Division-1 indoor long jump title in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Friday with a leap of 8.21 metres, setting a new Indian indoor record and edging silver medallist De’Aundre Ward (8.20m) in a dramatic finish.
Representing Tarleton State University, the 26-year-old produced his winning jump in the fourth round at the Randal Tyson Track Center, surpassing his previous national indoor mark of 8.01m and moving to third on India’s all-time list. Tafadzwa Chikomba of Kansas State finished third with 8.15m.
Lokesh dedicated the victory to his mother, Felcy Mary, who died from Covid during the pandemic. “First I dedicate it to God, and then to my mom,” he said, recalling her final words urging him to chase Olympic dreams.
The win places Lokesh among a small group of Indians to claim an NCAA Division-1 title, joining Mohinder Singh Gill, Vikas Gowda and Tejaswin Shankar.