Odisha cycling icon Swasti Singh added yet another silverware to her well-decorated trophy cabinet by finishing first runner-up in the professional elite women 48km criterium race of the HCL Cyclothon, which was held at Prime Arena in Hyderabad today. Pooja Danole (Maharashtra) emerged champion, while Harshita Jhakar (Rajasthan) settled as second runner-up.

Both Pooja and Swasti scored 18 points in the thrilling race. But by virtue of clocking a better time, the former won the first prize of Rs 1.20 lakh, edging out Odisha international Swasti, who claimed the second prize of Rs 1 lakh.

This was the fourth time in three years that Swasti, who trains at SAI National Centre of Excellence in Patiala, secured the first runner-up prize at the HCL Cyclothon. She also has the reputation of emerging champion twice and finishing second runner-up once.

Organised by the HCL Group in association with the Telangana government and under the aegis of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), the HCL Cyclothon Hyderabad 2025 set a new benchmark for cycling events in India, drawing over 1,900 riders from across the country.

Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma flagged off the event, which celebrated fitness, sustainability and community spirit while offering a total prize fund of Rs 33.6 lakh.
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PHOTO: Odisha ace Swasti Singh poses with her first runner-up trophy at the HCL Cyclothon in Hyderabad on 9 November 2025.