The 19-year-old though came away with useful experience and lessons in pacing herself under pressure of a high profile competition. Uttar Pradesh teenager Neeru Pathak was part of India’s 4x400m mixed relay squad which finished sixth and last in the final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“CWG was a big stage for me, but a minor injury in the last-minute pushed me back. Neeru has been named in the 4x400m relay squad for the Japan Games. “The CWG taught me the danger of an over-ambitious first 200m.
Now my race plans prioritise controlled first-half pacing, a strong but measured transition in the third 100, and a finishing kick based on strength endurance rather than raw speed alone,” she said.
“I learnt so many things from Glasgow and I am sure those lessons will help me at the Asian Games,” said Neetu, who is currently training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Bhubaneswar. Neeru said her rehabilitation included mobility and soft-tissue work, and recovery work included hydrotherapy to cryotherapy. She also said working on race tactics at the training has been important.
She had to deal with a muscle issue last year. But that’s an old story for me now and I’m focusing on a podium finish in 400m at the Asian Games next month,” Neeru said on Wednesday.
Her coaches at Meerut believe that the relay team’s sixth place at Glasgow is part of Neeru’s learning curve and has sharpened her resolve.
