The National Combined Events Challenge, incorporated the first-ever National Jumps Meet, concluded at the Baburao Sanas Ground here on Friday evening (29). The two-day meet followed the final leg of Asian Grand Prix series which concluded at this venue on Wednesday (27) and affected heavily due to continuous rain on both days.
The organizing team, headed by Mr. Prahlad Sawant, did a commendable job ensured all the events scheduled have been completed smoothly in spite of various difficulties. As the meet once again collided with the Junior Federation Cup, scheduled to be held at Madurai on July 1 and 2, there had been a poor turn-out in some of the age-group events. However the seniors delivered some good marks in trying conditions.
Jora Singh, the national record holder in the Decathlon (7502), once again proved his mettle by winning the title with yet another brilliant score of 7001 points. His arch rival P.J. Vinod finished second (6893) while Ram Niwas took third (6613).
National Heptathlon record holder J.J. Shobha (6211), a double bronze medalist in the Asian Games of 2002 and 2006, had to skip the meet due to bereavement following her father’s death recently. Her compatriot Sushmita Singha Roy (West Bengal) took the opportunity to win the event logging 5137 points. Kerala’s M.P. Sinimol (4851) and Tamil Nadu’s D. Karpuramala (4088) filled the next two spots.
George misses Osaka standard
Running on the rain-soaked runway, India’s first-ever World Championship medallist Anju Bobby George registered her season’s best of 6.42 in the Long Jump. The above mark from her second outing in three days was just short of the ‘B’ qualifying standard (6.60) for the ensuing World Championships at Osaka.
George will have one last chance to make the grade in the Asian Championships slated to be held at Amman (Jordan) in the last week of July.
Bharat Inder Singh took the men’s long jump gold with a career best 7.60m. Rajesh (Kerala) and Shamsher Pratap Singh (Punjab) were just shy at 7.58 and 7.57 for the silver and bronze medals.
Among the youth (u-18) boys, Navin Singh (Maharashtra) and Azarudeen (Tamil Nadu) excelled by winning the High Jump (2.00m) and Long Jump (6.78m) respectively.
Inspired by Anju’s presence, Karnataka girls Aparna Murali (u-16), G.M. Aishwarya and Natasha Sagar (u-18) did well in the Long Jump.
Ram. Murali Krishnan for the IAAF
Click here for complete results
