Anju wins bronze with ‘best-ever’ leap

Both Anju and Bobby spent time with Henderson along with other biomechanics experts. ‘‘Henderson showed us analytical videos of her jump and pointed out the fault in Anju’s penultimate stride at the take off board. I am sure we will correct it before Athens,’’ said Anju’s husband-cum-coach Bobby.

‘‘I am not worried about the national record so much,’’ Anju claimed after the event from her hotel in Oregon. ‘‘I am more worried about how I am handling the competitions leading to the Athens Games in August,’’ she said. Joining Anju over the phone line, her husband-cum-coach Bobby admitted it was yet again the first foul jump phenomenon. ‘‘I had told her to open with an easy jump to stay cool in the subsequent rounds. But she seemed excited and went for a big one, making it a foul jump,’’ Bobby said.

Even though Anju had a good second round effort of 6.71, her next two jumps were foul. The fifth attempt of 6.81 was wind assisted while she completed the competition with 6.70m. Even with three foul jumps, a ray of hope comes to Anju from the fact that she was consistent with the remaining attempts.

‘‘Her three valid attempts were all over 6.70 and this itself shows we are working in the right direction,’’ said Bobby. ‘‘But still what worries me is the opening invalid attempts,’’ he said.

The opening invalid attempts may be more of a psychological problem. Even on technique, Anju has taken tips soon after the Eugene competition. The organisers of the meet had made arrangements for the athletes to analyse their performances under the guidance of experts from the High Performance Centre. According to Bobby, Henderson expects a 7.25 or 7.20 jump from Anju in Athens. ‘‘This should be enough for a medal,’’ says Bobby.

Both Anju and Bobby have marked August 27 as D-day on their calendar — the day when the long jump final will be held in Athens.