(Image source from: Deborah Herold becomes first Indian female cyclist to reach 4th place ranking})

Deborah Herold, young cycling sensation, has become the first female cyclist of India to reach 4th place ranking in the UCI individual world ranking. The sport's governing body recently released the latest rankings list for the 500m time trial event.

Before the recent Track Asia Cup held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex Velodrome, Deborah ranked 10th, but rose to six places after the success at the three-day event previous month. She played a critical role in helping India finish cycling contingent at third place, by winning 11 medals.

On the final day of the event, she grabbed gold in the women's elite sprint event by clocking 13.614 seconds, beating South Korea's Cho Sun Young in a photo finish.

Deborah, 20-year-old, won five medals in October at the Taiwan Cup Track International Classic including gold, three silver and a bronze. Deborah, who won first gold medal for India in the women's elite sprint, took silver in the Keirin event.

The Cycling Federation of India Secretary General Onkar Singh said, "We are very happy that Indian cyclists are improving day by day and I'm sure that Deborah will improve
further in years to come."

Deborah from the Andamans is the biggest name in the present Indian squad. She told TOI Sports during the recent Track Asia Cup that, "I just want to do well, keep our medal tally increasing. Thats why we compete. I am in a very happy space right now with the team, we are working hard to keep the tempo up."

-Sumana