Crash landing

In the season-opening Pattaya Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, in the second week of February, Anju couldn8217;t go beyond 6.32m. That got her silver, though. And in the New Delhi Federation Cup, Anju8217;s flight over the jumping pit was restricted to 6.47m.

At the World Indoor, Anju couldn8217;t match up to the occasion and failed to go beyond 6.50m. It8217;s a different matter that husband-cum-coach Robert George alleged that officials manipulated the qualification results, which robbed Anju of the finals.

Experts feel her form is in sharp decline.

Anju8217;s best came in 2004 when she recorded at least three jumps of over 6.8 8212; including the 6.83 in qualifying, at the Athens Olympic Games. In 2003, the year she won bronze in the World Championships, the Indian jumper had a brief stint with jump legend Mike Powell. That didn8217;t make a big difference in her overall performance, but her consistency improved. Of the 12 competitions she participated in that year, including nine on the European circuit, her best was 6.7m the Paris bronze jump.

In 2002, of the 12 competitions she took part in, she wasn8217;t consistent, but her best was 6.74m.

Why this decline in Anju8217;s performance? Whenever Anju has been in superb form, it8217;s because she has been able to motivate herself enough. Experts say without further motivation, and soon, it will be difficult for Anju to arrest her decline.

8220;Or there needs to be some change in training regimen,8221; added a national level coach.

At the Commonwealth Games, with a jump of 6.41m, she barely managed to book a berth in the final round. The automatic qualification mark at Melbourne was 6.50m.

Earlier, the lanky jumper had always shown the ability to lifted herself on the big occasions. This time, though, Anju not only struggled with her run up, but also with her form.

One more reason could be seasonal. 8220;March is too early a season for peak performance,8221; said one official. But the big fear is: Is Anju stagnating? She is not over the hill yet, age-wise.

With eight months to go for Doha Asian Games, there is enough time for Anju to prepare herself both mentally and physically.