Asian athletics medallist commits suicide

Pratima Gaonkar, a medallist at the junior Asian athletic championships, committed suicide on Tuesday night.

Known as 'Goa Express', Gaonkar won a silver medal in the 4x400 metres relay at the ninth edition of the championships, at Brunei, which was held from July 19 to 22 this year.

The 19-year old athlete jumped into a well behind her house, in the remote village of Kirlpal, in eastern Goa.

She was the first Goan to represent the country at an Asian athletic event. Following her silver medal effort at the championships, the state government had honoured her with a prize of Rs 75,000.

Gaokar was selected to the Indian team after she bagged a silver medal at the Federation Cup, in Bangalore.