Antil grabs berth despite erratic form

Antil was dropped from the national squad that represented the country in the July 25-29 Asian Championships in Amman because of poor form. Her form remains erratic, and the doping controversy lingers. Though she claimed the title in the Federation Cup in Kolkata, she could only manage a throw of 58.9m for the gold. Her best is 64.64m, recorded in 2004.

Antil had attained the B qualifying mark in March 2006 during the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

According to one of the official of the AFI, Antil is fit and looking forward to the world meet. It is to be seen whether she would be able to repeat her 2004 form.

Doha Asian games bronze medallist Krishna Poonia is the other woman discus thrower in the squad.

Of the 13-member squad, 400m hurdler Joseph Abraham has been the most consistent at the domestic level. He also gave a good account of himself in the Doha Games, and was member of the men8217;s 4x400m relay team that won silver. He holds the national record of 49.52 seconds.

SQUAD

Men: Vikas Gowda discus, Joseph Abraham 400m hurdles, Renjith Maheswary triple jump, Navpreet Singh shot put.

Women: Seema Antil, Krishna Poonia discus throw, Anju Bobby George long jump, Manjeet Kaur, Mandeep Kaur, Chitra K Soman. Iyleen Samantha, Sini Jose, Anu Maria Jose 4x400m relay.