Latest news with #NationalCrossCountryChampionships
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'Pursuing a family doesn't mean your own ambitions are finished' - Niamh Allen's productive maternity leave on track
The starting gun had just fired on the interview when a legend stepped onto the track and into our vicinity. A forgivable false start was thus recorded. Sonia O'Sullivan walked over to congratulate Niamh Allen on a fine 3,000m-effort at Wednesday's Cork City Sports. The latter was completely taken aback by this legend of the track seeking her out. Sonia inquired as to her race plans for the remainder of summer. Niamh, in reply but not in reply to the question, called her 'an absolute legend' and 'so inspirational'. The same as Sonia, we too had sought out Niamh shortly after the 3,000m. That she hadn't been among the podium placers didn't matter. The 30-year-old Leevale athlete had gone through the first lap 15th of 15 runners. She proceeded to pick them off one at a time. Crossing the line fifth, her 8:51.08 represented a 35-second improvement on her now demolished lifetime best from 2022. The 35-second improvement hiked her from 92nd to eighth on the Irish all-time list. The latest and last act of a phenomenal maternity leave chapter. The dual role of new-mom and an athlete reaching new heights continues to be perfectly balanced. 'I'm going back to work next week in my HR career, so to be honest, I saw running as something to keep my sanity and something for me while on maternity leave. It has paid off. Something is just working, I don't know what it is,' says an exhausted Allen. '[Running and competing] is not the be-all-and-end-all. It is a lovely plus. I have definitely taken the pressure off, so it is now more fun as well. 'We might need to adjust training as I head back to work. But it has been a good ride. Packed a lot in on maternity leave, so hopefully we can continue.' Niamh was late to running. Only in her Leaving Cert year did she take up jogging as a means of breaking from the books. The Blackrock native ran a 33-minute 10k and 72-minute half marathon during a breakthrough-ish 2023. Pregnancy would in no way derail that progress. Last November, and just 11-and-a-half weeks after Lily arrived into the world, mom raced to silver at the National Cross Country Championships. A week later, she was 11th and the first Irish woman home at European Cross. That superb pair of runs represented the opening paragraphs of her maternity leave. Much more was packed in over the following seven months. Her 31.44 to win the National 10km Championships moved her to third on the all-time Irish list, behind only Sonia and Catherina McKiernan. She won the John Treacy 10-mile in Dungarvan in a new course record of 52:51. She won the Cork City half-marathon last month in 1:10.06. At the Midleton five-mile a couple of weeks earlier, she was the first competitor - male or female - across the painted strip. 'There are always going to be people that are naysayers, but the majority are supportive, they think barriers are being broken by me and all the moms who are coming back and continuing on their running career,' Allen says of balancing the miles and constant nappy changing. 'Because you want to pursue a family doesn't mean that you and your ambitions are finished. It is just about being more flexible and better time management. If I can be inspirational to Lily, even just for pursuing something I want to and have goals, that is all that matters to me.' The weather was such at Bishopstown on Wednesday that Lily stayed at home with granny. She won't have long to wait for another chance to cheer on mammy, Niamh expecting to toe the line at next weekend's National 10-mile championships in the Phoenix Park. 'I have definitely found that since I stopped breastfeeding exclusively, that has helped [with my running and energy levels] and just having a bit more support from family members who are able to take her, so it is not all on me, is definitely a bit easier. 'I wouldn't change anything. I would 100% do it again in time. If it is encouragement to anyone to give it a go and to keep thinking you can achieve things, even if you do want to have a family as well.' This particular mammy still has plenty she wants to achieve. 'Long-term, there is the LA Olympics. I'm 30 now, I'll be 33 by then. If it happens, great. If not, I'll just keep working on something else.'
NDTV
03-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Two Indian Long-Distance Runners, One Boxer And One Wrestler Banned By NADA
Long-distance runners Hemraj Gurjar and Anjali Kumari along with wrestler Divya Kakran, and boxer Thokchom Yaisana Chanu have also been penalised with lengthy suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) of India. Gurjar has been suspended for four years after the prohibited substance Darbepoetin (DEPO) was found in his sample while Anjali Kumari has been banned for six years. Kabaddi player Manish Gulia and wrestler Omkar Shankar Chougale were also handed four-year suspensions for failing dope tests. Powerlifter Amita Devi Kotwol and a minor track and field athlete were handed six-year bans, though the details are not known. The decisions in their respective cases were taken on March 31, 2025, according to information provided by NADA. All these cases along with swimmer Vishal Grewal and 19-year-old athlete Mishthi Kajla have been handed punishments by NADA's Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel in March and April after they failed dope tests last year and were handed provisional suspension. In March and April 2025, their suspensions were confirmed after the hearing by the NADA panel. The 25-year-old Gujar, who had won a 5000m bronze in the 2023 National Inter-State Championships and gold in the National Cross Country Championships in 2023 and 2024, has been banned for four years. Gujar also represented India in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships last year. Gurjar's suspension came into effect on April 20, the day the verdict was delivered by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel. Vishal Grewal has been suspended for four years from December 8, 2023, whereas Mishthi Kajla, who won a bronze in the 2024 Federation Cup U20 Championships, will serve a two-year ineligibility from May 5, 2024, though the decision on her appeal was taken on April 15, 2025. Anjali's six-year ban period begins on March 31, whereas woman pugilist Thokchom Yaisana Chanu will be out for four years from April 10, 2024. The decision on her appeal was reached on April 20, 2025.
Hans India
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
NADA panel bans distance runners Hemraj, Anjali for failed dope tests
New Delhi: Long-distance runners Hemraj Gurjar and Anjali Kumari along with wrestler Divya Kakran, and boxer Thokchom Yaisana Chanu have also been penalised with lengthy suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) of India. Gurjar has been suspended for four years after the prohibited substance Darbepoetin (DEPO) was found in his sample while Anjali Kumari has been banned for six years. Kabaddi player Manish Gulia and wrestler Omkar Shankar Chougale were also handed four-year suspensions for failing dope tests. Powerlifter Amita Devi Kotwol and a minor track and field athlete were handed six-year bans, though the details are not known. The decisions in their respective cases were taken on March 31, 2025, according to information provided by NADA. All these cases along with swimmer Vishal Grewal and 19-year-old athlete Mishthi Kajla have been handed punishments by NADA's Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel in March and April after they failed dope tests last year and were handed provisional suspension. In March and April 2025, their suspensions were confirmed after the hearing by the NADA panel. The 25-year-old Gujar, who had won a 5000m bronze in the 2023 National Inter-State Championships and gold in the National Cross Country Championships in 2023 and 2024, has been banned for four years. Gujar also represented India in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships last year. Gurjar's suspension came into effect on April 20, the day the verdict was delivered by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel. Vishal Grewal has been suspended for four years from December 8, 2023, whereas Mishthi Kajla, who won a bronze in the 2024 Federation Cup U20 Championships, will serve a two-year ineligibility from May 5, 2024, though the decision on her appeal was taken on April 15, 2025. Anjali's six-year ban period begins on March 31, whereas woman pugilist Thokchom Yaisana Chanu will be out for four years from April 10, 2024. The decision on her appeal was reached on April 20, 2025.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Indian long-distance runners Hemraj, Anjali slapped with 4 and 6-year bans for doping violations
Representational image (Photo by) NEW DELHI: Long-distance athletes Hemraj Gurjar and Anjali Kumari received bans of four and six years, respectively, from NADA's Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel following their positive dope tests in the previous year. Gurjar, aged 25, who claimed bronze in 5000m at the 2023 National Inter-State Championships and gold at the National Cross Country Championships in 2023 and 2024, faces a four-year suspension starting April 20, the date of ruling. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Gurjar had competed for India in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships last year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Is Reported To Have Read Every... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) initially imposed a provisional suspension on Gurjar after detecting the prohibited substance Darbepoetin (DEPO) in his sample. According to the NADA website's latest update, Anjali's six-year suspension commences from March 31, with no additional information provided. She had participated in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships last year, representing India. NADA's ADDP imposed four-year bans on kabaddi player Manish Gulia, wrestlers Omkar Shankar Chougale and Divya Kakran, boxer Thokchom Yaisana Chanu and swimmer Vishal Grewal. Six-year suspensions were given to powerlifter Amita Devi Kotwol and an unnamed minor track and field athlete, with details undisclosed. Two-year bans were issued to boxer Ayush Rai and Mishthi Kajla, aged 19, who secured bronze at the 2024 Federation Cup U20 Championships. An unnamed minor boxer also received a four-year suspension.
News18
03-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
Hemraj Gurjar, Anjali Kumari Handed Lengthy Bans By NADA Over Failed Dope Tests
Long-distance runners Hemraj Gurjar and Anjali Kumari have been banned for four and six years respectively by the NADA's Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel after they failed dope tests last year. The 25-year-old Gujar, who had won a 5000m bronze in the 2023 National Inter-State Championships and gold in the National Cross Country Championships in 2023 and 2024, has been banned for four years beginning from April 20, the date of the decision.
