Odisha cycling star Swasti Singh emerged champion in the women elite 50km criterium event of the HCL Cyclothon 2025, which was held in Chennai today. She won the race, clocking one hour, 19 minutes and 29.487 seconds with an average speed of 36.9 km per hour.
Swasti received the first prize of Rs 1.20 lakh, while Himanshi Singh (Haryana) and Chayanika Gogoi (Railways) secured the second and third prize of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 80,000 respectively.
This is the second successive HCL Cyclothon title for 24-year-old Swasti, who won her first title earlier this year in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Rourkela cyclist Swasti, who trains at the National Centre of Excellence in Patiala, also has the reputation of finishing runner-up thrice and second runner-up once in the HCL Cyclothon since its inception in 2023.
Employee of Odisha Mining Corporation, Swasti dedicated her latest title triumph to Odisha cycling legend Susul Das, who passed away three days ago. “This win is a small tribute to Sushil sir, my first coach, mentor, guide and inspiration. This win is for you — for every effort, every push, every word of encouragement.”
ACHIEVEMENTS OF SWASTI AT HCL CYCLOTHON:
* Runner-up with cash prize of Rs 1.25 lakh, women elite 55km criterium race, Noida, 19 March 2023.
* Runner-up with cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, women elite 55km criterium race, Noida, 17 March 2024.
* Runner-up with cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, women elite 55km criterium race, Chennai, 6 October 2024.
* Second runner-up with cash prize of Rs 80,000, women elite 52km criterium race, Hyderabad, 15 December 2024.
* Champion with cash prize of Rs 1.2 lakh, 39km women elite criterium race, Noida, 23 March 2025.
* Champion with cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, women elite 50km criterium race, Chennai, 21 September 2025.
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PHOTO: HCL Cyclothon champion Swasti Singh poses with her trophy and dummy cheque in Chennai on 21 September 2025.