Sprinter Ashwini Shetty Improves Her Record at Inter-State Athletics

BANGALORE, Jun 13 (TOI): Asiad gold medalist AC Ashwini Shetty and Commonwealth Games champion Krishna Poonia came up with morale-boosting performances to climb the podium as they returned from the Sree Kanteerava stadium with loads of confidence to prepare for the tougher challenges at next month's Asian Athletics Championship.

The second day of the National Inter-State Athletics saw two new records, a national mark by Bharat Inder Singh in decathlon and a meet record by Ramachandran in men's 3,000m steeplechase. While Singh eclipsed Jora Singh's record in the grueling event with a total of 7,658 points, Ramachandran bettered Elam Singh's mark clocking 8:42.58s.

However, the day's showcase event was the women's 400m final which Karnataka athlete Ashwini won recording her personal best of 52.82 seconds. It was a comfortable win for the 23-year-old after her emphatic triumph at the Asian Games in 400m hurdles. Her previous best was 53.30seconds which she did at the last edition of the meet in Patiala.

It was an exciting final that included three of the four runners who won India the gold in the 4x400m relay. In the end, only Ashwini and Mandeep Kaur (silver, 53.21s) came on top. While Sini Jose pulled up lame after the first bend, national record holder Manjit Kaur didn't start.

In women's discus, Krishna pulled out after three attempts but her best effort of 55.45m was still good enough to give her the silver. The gold went to CWG silver medalist Harwant Kaur whose best effort of the day measured 58.78m. National record holder Renjith Maheswary failed to get going in men's triple jump and settled for the silver behind Arpinder Singh of Punjab.

Shameer, Priya fastest

Kerala bagged a double in the 100m dash with Shameer Mon and PK Priya emerging as the fastest athletes. While Shameer (10.58s) came from behind to Krishna Kumar Rane of Maharashtra (10.61s) after a slow start, Priya looked never in trouble as she crossed the line in 11.97 seconds. Second-placed Asha Roy of Bengal timed 12.20s.

For hosts Karnataka, it was a day of double joy with Sahana Kumari also winning the gold in women's high jump.

Results: Men:

100m: 1. Shameer Mon (Ker, 10.58s), 2. Krishna Kumar Rane (Mah, 10.61), 3. Ritesh Anand (Jha, 10.71s).

400m: 1. SK Mortaza (Ben, 47.05s), 2. Davinder Singh (Pun, 47.32s), 3. J Premanand (MP, 47.80s).

1500m: 1. Ghamanda Ram (Raj, 3:48.12s), 2. Pranjal Gogoi (Mah, 3:48.43), 3. Sandeep (Har, 3:48.52).

3000m Steeplechase: 1. Ramachandran (TN, 8:42.58s NMR), 2. Sanjit Luwang (8:44.26), 3. Jaiveer (Har, 8:45.16).

20,000m Walk: 1. Maniram Patel (MP, 1:29.35s NMR), 2. Irfan KT (Ker, 1:30.34), 3. Manjit Singh (Pun, 1:31.34).

Triple Jump: 1. Arpinder Singh (Pun, 16.32m), 2. Renjith Maheswary (TN, 15.96m), 3. Bipin Dev (Mah, 15.86m).

Pole Vault: 1. Bimin KP (Ker, 4.95m), 2. Vadivel (TN, 4.90m), 3. Bineesh Jacob (Ker, 4.70m).

Decathlon: 1. Bharat Inder Singh (Har, 7658 points, NR), 2. Rahul Kumar (Raj, 6599), 3. Chandrahas Kushwaha (UP, 6537).

Women: 100m: 1. Priya PK (Ker, 11.97s), 2. Asha Roy (Ben, 12.20), 3. N Sudha (AP, 12.22).

400m: 1. Ashwini AC (Kar, 52.82s), 2. Mandeep Kaur (Pun, 53.21s), 3. Juana Murmu (Ori, 53.81).

1500m: 1. OP Jaisha (Pun, 4:21.32s), 2. Jhuma Khatun (Jha, 4:23.89s), 3. Bindu SR (Ker, 4:25.56).

20,000m Walk: 1. Deepmala Devi (Jha, 1:47:19.29s), 2. Gourav Kumari (MP, 1:52:26.09), 3. Ranjana Gupta (MP, 1:52:49.31).

High jump: 1. Sahana Kumari (Kar, 1.81m), 2. Mallika Mondal (Ben, 1.76m), 3. Siji NK (Ker, 1.73m).

Discus Throw: 1. Harwant Kaur (Pun, 58.78), 2. Krishna Poonia (Raj, 55.45m), 3. Praveen Kumari (Raj, 49.21m).