Editor’s note: Rupinder Singh is writing a nearly daily column on athletics in India. We thought you might enjoy learning about a country embracing athletics and potentially becoming the next powerhouse.
Parul Chaudhary set a national record in the women’s 3000m steeplechase on a day when 3 golds slipped out of India’s grasp at the Nagoya Asian Games. Parul Chowdhury faced two African imports, Yavi and Tanui, representing Bahrain and Kazakhstan, respectively, and it seemed India was destined to lose out on major medals.
Parul Chowdhury, however, used the opportunity to help herself and the country secure their second national record at the Asian Games. Parul clocked an impressive 9:08.57 to win bronze behind the duo and beat her own record by 4 seconds. Not to be outdone, her teammate Ankita Dhyani secured a huge personal best of 9:19.3 while finishing fourth.
In the other events, clear favorite Ancy Sojan in the women’s long jump, with a season’s best of 6.88m, was expected to walk away with the gold, but perhaps the wet runway did not allow her to be at her best and get pipped by Huang of China, jumping 6.55 m to Ancy’s 6.53 m.
Similarly, in the men’s high jump, Sarvesh Kushare was unlucky to tie with his Taipei opponent, both jumping 2.25m, though Sarvesh did so on his second attempt while his opponent cleared the same height on his first.
Tejaswin Shankar became India’s first decathlete to win back to back asian medals but was unlucky to falter in his discus throw and narrowly lost out to Muruyama of Japan with a tally of 7957 points to 8123 for Muruyama.
The pleasant surprise, however, came late in the day when the Indian girls convincingly won their 4x100m heat, with Himani Bhadra and Abhinaya Rangarajan showing excellent form. Will this event give India its first athletics gold, or will Avinash Sable retain his gold in the men’s steeplechase?
India enters a new day full of hope with Gulveer Younis Shah in the 1500 m, Sable in the steeplechase, and Muralishreeshankar in the men’s long jump. India awaits its first athletics gold and will it end its wait today?
