Surekha sets new mark

VS Surekha bettered her own national record in the women’s pole vault during the 54th National Open Athletics Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old athlete, who is also the first Indian female pole vaulter to clear 4.00 meter, jumped 4.15 metres to overhaul her previous mark of 4.08 which she had established in October, 2006. She was also the meet record holder at 4.00 metres, which she had raised in October 2009.

Surekha, who is based in Chennai and married to triple jumper Renjith Maheshwary, has been training here with her coach PC Tyagi since July owing to lack of facilities at home.
“I had been training to qualify for the Asian Games. That didn’t happen.

The girl who jumped 4.15 metres in Incheon got the bronze medal. My coach had asked me to go for 4.15 mark here and I achieved that. All that training I did to qualify for the Asian Games, came handy here,” said Surekha, representing Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB).

“Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is now more or less my home ground. There are no training facilities in Chennai and that is big drawback. I have to come here to get a good training.” Dija KC, also of RSPB, came second while Kiranbir Kaur of All India Police Sports Control Board (AIPSCB) had to content with the third place.

In fact, both Dija and Kiranbir had jumped 3.60 meters. But because Dija achieved the mark in her first attempt, she was put ahead of Kiranbir, who got it in two attempts.
In the women’s 3000 meters steeplechase, Sudha Singh was in a league of her own during her gold medal winning sprint of 10:08.50.

The Asian games bronze medallist, who is representing RSPB here, ruled the stretch from start to finish, followed by Priyanka Singh, also of RSPB, at 10: 35.86 and Parul Chaudhary of Uttar Pradesh at 10:44.38. Lalita Babar, who had fetched silver at Incheon Asiad besides setting a national record, however, pulled out roughly at the 400 metre mark.

“All of us have been resting after the Asiad. There is always a risk of an injury. I could feel my ankle, the water jumps can be tricky. Personally, I wanted to see if I am in rhythm. I am glad I improved my record in the process,” said Sudha.

In the 3000 metres steeplechase for men, Jaiveer Singh of SSCB took the top honours with a timing of 8:53.85. Sachin Patil of RSPB (8:54.12) was second while Incheon Asian Games bronze medallist Naveen Kumar (9.00.78) had to settle for the third place.  
In the men’s discus throw, Haryana’s Arjun (56.45 metres) took the gold medal ahead of Dharamraj (55.62)  and Vikas Punia (53.17).

Results: Men: 3000M steeplechase: Jaiveer Singh (SSCB) 8:53.85, 1; Sachin Patil (RSPB) 8:54.12, 2; Naveen Kumar (SSCB) 9:00.78,3. 110M hurdles: K Prem Kumar (Telangana) 13.91 seconds, 1; J Surendhar (TN) 14.21,2; Pinto Mathew (RSPB) 14.29, 3.   High jump: Harshit S (ONGC) 2.17 mtr, 1; Jithin S Thomas (SSCB), 2.17,2;  Ajay Kumar (Haryana) 2. 14, 3. Discus throw: Arjun (HAR) 56.45 metr, 1; Dharamraj (SSCB) 55.62, 2;  Vikas Punia (RSPB) 53.17, 3.
Women: 3000M steeplechase: Sudha Singh (RSPB) 10:08.50, 1; Priyanka Singh 10:35.86,2; Parul Chaudhary(UP) 10:44.38,3. 100M hurdles: G Gayathry (TN) 13.71 seconds, 1; Deepika 13.81,2; Sajitha KV (KER)  13.97,3. Pole Vault: VS Surekha (RSPB) 4.15 metres, 1; Dija KC (RSPB) 3.60,2; Kiranbir Kaur (AIPSCB) 3.60,3. Javelin throw: Annu Rani (RSPB) 54.01 metres, 1; Rupinder Kaur (POL) 52.26, 2; S. Saraswathy(RPB) 47.85, 3.