Brianica Elangovan created history at the Asian Games, becoming India’s first pole vaulter to secure a medal in the 20 th edition of a 75 years old asian games. Brianica Elangovan created a minor surprise, upsetting national record holder Sindhushree and claiming bronze with a leap of 4.15 m.
This was followed by Gulveer Singh running a good tactical race, which the two Bahraini runners, Balewi and Kiptoo, controlled with a slow pace, and then Balewi, as expected, outsprinted Gulveer in the final lap. The 5000 m now will be a tougher race for Gulveer as Balewi has a season’s lead of a 12:45 run in the Diamond League.
Personally, I would like Gulveer to take the race to him right from the start rather than setting a slow pace, which will probably suit Balewi.
Manpreet Kaur completed India’s three medals of the day, winning a bronze in the women’s shot put. While Indian fans may be disappointed by Gurvindervir and Animesh Kujur, I thought it was expected, as they consistently ran 10.30 after the Ranchi miracle.
The gold in athletics is still awaited, but we have many aces like Ancy Sojan, Toor Sarvesh, Kushare, and Tejaswin Shankar in their respective events: women’s long jump, men’s shot put, men’s high jump, men’s decathlon, and men’s 4×400 m relay.
