New Delhi: India stunned the field to take the women's 4x400m relay title on Tuesday -- the first-ever track gold medal won by the country's women at the Commonwealth Games
Roared on by a passionate home crowd, India led virtually for the whole race with Manjeet Kaur handing over just ahead of England on the first leg, and Sini Jose and Ashwini Akkunji holding the advantage over the second and third legs.
It was left to Mandeep Kaur to hold off Nigeria's 400m hurdles gold medallist Muizat Odumosu and Nadine Okyere of England on the final stretch.
She was never threatened, however, and India took the top honours in 3:27.77 seconds, to Nigeria's 3:28.72 and England's 3:29.51.
"I have got goosebumps right now. I think we won because of the crowd support we had," said Manjeet Kaur.
"I thought we would come second, but my team had the self belief to do it.
"We worked on our performance day and night. We wanted to prove to the world that we can win medals in athletics."
It was a personal triumph for Manjeet Kaur, who has now won one gold and one silver at the track, making her the only person from India to achieve this feat.
Mohinder Singh Gill and Seema Antil are the only other Indians to claim two medals in Commonwealth Games history, but neither won gold.
"I cannot express my happiness in words," she said.
"I am really happy that we have won over 10 medals in athletics this time and with hard work we will get more in the future. The Games are in Delhi so we had to go for gold."
While the Indians were celebrating, Nigeria was disappointed to lose.
"It was just okay," said Margaret Etim. "We had a junior in our team so that's why it did not go well.
"I thought we could make it, but we got second place."
Roared on by a passionate home crowd, India led virtually for the whole race with Manjeet Kaur handing over just ahead of England on the first leg, and Sini Jose and Ashwini Akkunji holding the advantage over the second and third legs.
It was left to Mandeep Kaur to hold off Nigeria's 400m hurdles gold medallist Muizat Odumosu and Nadine Okyere of England on the final stretch.
"I have got goosebumps right now. I think we won because of the crowd support we had," said Manjeet Kaur.
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"We worked on our performance day and night. We wanted to prove to the world that we can win medals in athletics."
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Mohinder Singh Gill and Seema Antil are the only other Indians to claim two medals in Commonwealth Games history, but neither won gold.
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"I am really happy that we have won over 10 medals in athletics this time and with hard work we will get more in the future. The Games are in Delhi so we had to go for gold."
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"It was just okay," said Margaret Etim. "We had a junior in our team so that's why it did not go well.
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