Kochi (Cochin), IndiaHeld amidst appalling weather, the Fifth edition of the Federation Cup junior athletic championships saw no new marks but brave efforts from the athletes of the future in the two-day meet concluded here this evening (4 Nov).
Following a heavy downpour the previous evening, the grass track at Lake View Stadium in Sacred Heart College posed an injury threat to the athletes lined up for the start on the opening day (3 Nov). Slippery tracks and runways hampered the chances of setting records, but the young aspirants gathered here - around 200 in numbers, hailing from 12 states across the country - managed to complete the grueling schedule with smiling faces througout.
Kerala’s Freji Jose (10.99) and Orissa’s Namita Samal (12.65) became the fastest male and female athletes on the rain-soaked track. Namita added another gold by winning the 200m today.
Sajeesh Joseph (800/1500), Rakesh Kumar (5K/10K), V.B. Bineesh (400/400h) among junior women, Frency Thomas (400/800) and Anita Abraham (discus/hammer) among junior women each won a pair of gold medals.
M.A. Prajisha, a science student of St. Mary’s College, Thrissur made an impressive win with her 12.41m triple jump.
Hosts Kerala won the overall title with a tally of 276 points in a hard fought battle from their arch-rivals and neighbour state Tamil Nadu. Kerala boys logged 107 points against 104 by Tamil Nadu. However, the girls from the “God’s own land” proved their supremacy by garnering 169 points.
Ram. Murali Krishnan for the IAAF
Click here to view the full results
