Mohammed Ashfaq and Jyothika M were awarded the Malayala Manorama gold medals for the best athletes at the Kerala School Games, which concluded in Kochi on Monday. The awards were presented by Education Minister V Sivankutty during the valedictory ceremony at the Maharaja's College Ground.
Representing GV Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram, Ashfaq won gold in 400 metres in senior boys' category with a meet record of 47.65 seconds. The Thrissur native also clinched a double by winning the 400 m hurdles event on 52.82 seconds.
Jyothika, from Parli HS in Palakkad, delivered a stellar performance with gold medals in 200 meters (25.43 seconds), 400 metres (56.81), and 400-metre hurdles (1:02.69) in the senior girls' category. She also delivered Palakkad the 4x400m relay title with a powerful anchor leg.
The jury panel, featuring Olympian and former Kerala Sports Council President Mercy Kuttan, Arjuna Award winner Joseph G Abraham, and Athletics Federation of India Joint Secretary P I Babu, selected the winners.
