Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Updated
Mangaluru, May 1: The first day of the 19th Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship at Mangala Stadium here on Friday May 1 was action-packed with several events being held during the course of the day.
Sahana Kumari, the national record holder who led the Karnataka contingent during the inaugural ceremony on Thursday April 30, won the gold in high jump (1.76 m), followed by Mallika Mondal of West Bengal bagging the silver (1.73 m) and Steny Michael of Kerala winning the bronze (1.70 m).
However, despite winning the gold, Sahana failed to qualify for the Asian Athletics Championship to be held in China. Speaking to daijiworld, she expressed disappointment with her performance. "I am really very disappointment. This is one of my worst experiences, and the intense humidity affected my performance. I have no coach from two years, and whatever I have been doing is through sheer practice. I have done better during practice but today was just not my day even though I won the gold. If I get a coach I will be able to perform better," she said.
In women's long jump, Mayookha Johny of ONGC clinched the gold (6.34 m) while Shraddha Bhaskar of Maharashtra won the silver (6.21 m) and Neena V of Kerala bagging the bronze (6.12 m). Mayookha qualified for the Asian Athletics.
In women's javelin throw event, Suman Devi of Uttar Pradesh bagged the gold (54.07 m) and qualified for Asian Athletics. Shahejhali of Karnataka won the silver (49.47 m) while Rupinder Kaur of Punjab got the bronze (48.48 m).
Baljit Kaur of Punjab clinched the gold in discus thrown (45.58 m) beating Karnataka's Priayanka J D (39.15 m). However, neither of them qualified for the Asian Athletics.
Minister of Kannada and Culture Umashree visited the venue and presented the medals to the winners of javelin throw. Speaking to reporters, she said, "I wish all success to the participants and wish them good luck for the Asian Athletics Championship. I congratulate the organizers on hosting this event."
Asked if there was any particular reason for her visit, she said, "My department has given Rs 20 lac for this event and sponsored the cultural events to be held this evening. Hence I have come to watch."
Winners of high jump were awarded medals by MUDA chairman Ibrahim Kodijal while district incharge minister B Ramanath Rai presented the medals to long jump winners.
President of Indian Athletics Association Adil Sumariwalla presented medals to winners of 5000 m (men), while MLA J R Lobo awarded the medals to winners in the women's category.
Speaking to daijiworld, Laxmanan who won the gold in 5000 m race and qualified for Asian Athletics said, "I am not too happy with the result. I wanted to perform better, but I am happy that I have qualified for the Asian championships. The humidity made a big difference," he said. Laxmanan said that he was happy with the arrangments and the food provided to the athletes.
The day culminated with an hour-long cultural programme, that included dances by Hejjenada group led by Jnana Aithal, Prashant and group. However, the response for the event from the public was poor.
Earlier in the evening, there was a brief altercation between media persons and the organizers as the latter did not allow reporters and photographers inside for not wearing the official media jackets prepared for the event. Though some of the media persons had been given the jackets, many were not. As the matter threatened to go out of hand, the cops intervened, and deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim arrived at the spot and instructed the organizers to allow all media persons to cover the event.
Earlier Report
Mangaluru: Athletics meet - TN champs win gold in 5000 m track event
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 1: The 19th Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship got off to a flying start at Mangala Stadium here on Friday May 1, with Tamil Nadu runners clinching the top honours in 5,000 metres track event.
The four-day event was inaugurated amid much fanfare on Thursday April 30.
Two events were held in the morning session which began early on Friday.
In the men's 5000 m, G Laxmanan of Army contigent won the gold clocking 13.58.40, while the silver was bagged by Gopi T, also of Army contingent, who clocked 14.03.14. The bronze went to Suresh Kumar of ONGC who timed 14.03.28.
In the women's 5000 m, L Suriya won the gold clocking 16.55.90, while Chitra from Kerala bagged the silver with a timing of 16.56.29. The bronze went to Parithi Lamba of Haryana who clocked 16.56.51.
Gold medalists Laxmanan and Suriya are both from Tamil Nadu.
Suriya, who represented the country in the last two Asian championships at Kobe (2011) and Pune (2013), however fell short of the qualifying norms fixed by AFI for this year’s edition at Wuhan, China.
The first day's medals will be presented by Karnataka Athletics Association president G Parameshwar later in the afternoon.
Apart from 5000 m race, qualifying rounds for other events were also held.