Disappointing day for India, Lankan athletes sparkle

KATHMANDU, SEPT 27: Gulab Chand's suprising pull-out from his pet event 5,000m and subsequent sixth-place finish in the 800m told the tal...

KATHMANDU, SEPT 27: Gulab Chand8217;s suprising pull-out from his pet event 5,000m and subsequent sixth-place finish in the 800m told the tale of a disappointing day for India at the Dasarath Stadium track during the South Asian Federation Games here today.

The Indians were totally overshadowed by Sri Lanka, whose runners not only rewrote three SAF records today, but also welcomed a new athlete into their 8220;Olympic pool8221;.

Rohana Pradeep Kumara took the men8217;s 400m in an impressive time of 45.77secs, erasing the mark of countryman Sugath Tillekeratne 46.12secs, and broke the barrier of 45.82secs to make the elite club. Two Lankan athletes, already members of the country8217;s Olympic pool 8212; hurdler Sriyani Kulawansa Fonseka and Damayanthi Darsha 8212; also set new marks.

While the 29-year-old Fonseka improved upon her own timing of 13.34secs set during the Madras Games in 1995 clocking 13.12, Darsha ran a powerful race in 400m to win in 52.11secs. Darsha improved upon India8217;s Shiny Wilson8217;s time of52.12.

India, who won just three gold today, got the first shock when Pakistan8217;s Rehana Kauser pushed Jaicy Thomas to second spot in women8217;s high jump. Rehama had the best jump of 1.69m as compared to Jaicy8217;s 1.66m.

Then came the poor performance by Sanjay Kumar Rai in men8217;s long jump. Rai, who touched 8.00 recently could manage only 7.63m as the gold was taken by PKS Rohita of Sri Lanka with a jump of 7.76m.

However, more was to follow in the 400m when Rohana Pradeep Kumar, running in the first lane, overtook India8217;s R Ramachandran on home stretch and pulled away for a convincing win. Ramachandran also had a good time of 46.10, which according to his coach Harbans Singh, is his best electronic time.

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He ran a hand timed 46.00 in Bangalore recently. Lijo David, coming back from injury, took bronze in 46.86.

India8217;s only gold in track came in men8217;s 5,000 even as Lanka threatened to run away with everythin. K Sankar won gold in a slow time of 14:49.51, making up for Gulab Chand8217;s pull-out. He failed tolive up to his coaches8217; expectations in the 800m, running the first 200m slow to finish sixth. The event was won by Sri Lanka8217;s V Ratnakumara in 1:51.08. The diminutive Gulab, was elbowed whenever he tried to move ahead, and had no juice left at the finish. Anil Mathew of India took the silver.

Lalit Bhanot, the All India Amateur Athletic Federation AIFF secretary said that the decision to field Gulab in an unfamiliar event 8220;was a gamble that failed8221;. 8220;Gulab won the 800m recently in Thiruvananthapuram, and surprised us with his kick. 800 is our weakest event, and we were not expecting Anil Mathew to win, so we took a chance. At the SAF Games, it is only gold that matters for us. Anyway, we were sure Sankar would win 5,000, which he did,8221; Bhanot said.

The two other gold for India came in throws 8212; Pramod Tiwari won the hammer with 65.84m and Hridyanand taking the discus 53.11.

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In the women8217;s 100m hurdles, national champion Debi Bose slipped at the starting blocks and pulled out after clearingfirst two hurdles. The other Indian in the event, Anuradha Biswal came second behind Fonseka in 13.72secs.In women8217;s 400, Darsha was far too good for the Indians. K Beenamol tried hard to catch up during the final 50m, but Darsha won with a lot to spare. India8217;s Rosa Kutty, meanwhile, finished fourth.

Fonseka, whose best is 12.91, said she was 8220;not happy with her time here8221;. The former SAF Games high jump record holder 1991, who switched to hurdles in 1991, suffered a bout of influenza a fortnight before coming here. She is also struggling with injuries to her lower back.

The star of the day anyway was Rohana Pradeep Kumara. 8220;Darsha inspired me. Her 100m gold gave me the styrength,8221; he said. The 23-year-old runner has been in the shadow of Sugath Tillekeratne for long, but if today8217;s time is any indication, he could soon be troubling the Asian Games champion.

With six gold today, Lankans are running India close, and the coming two days could see some fascinating duels.

AhtleticsResults

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Men 110m hurdles: Mahesh Perera Lanka 14.22; PT Yesudass Ind; Mohd Shah Pak. 400m: R Prem Kumar Lanka 45.77 NGR 8211; old 46.12; R Ramchandran Ind; Lijo David Ind; 800m: V Ratnakumar Lanka 1:51.08; Anil Mathew Ind; Mohd Tariq Pak; 5,000m: K Shankar Ind 14:49.41; Gyan Hohara Nep; Sunil Jayaweera Lanka; Hammer: Pramod Tiwari Ind 62.84m; Instiaque Ahmed Ind; Ghulam Bari Pak. Long Jump: PKS Rohitha Lanka 7.76m; Sanjay Rai Ind; Banaris Khan Pak. Discus: Hridyanand Ind 53.11m; Mohd Javid Pak; TF Aleileema Lanka.

Women: 100m hurdles: Sriyani Kulawansa Lanka 13.12 NGR 8212; old 13.73; 2 Anuradha Biswal Ind; I Umayaini Lanka; 400m: Damayanti Darsha Lanka 52.11 NGR 8212; old 52.12; KM Beenamol Ind 52.69; SN de Soyza Lanka. High jump: Rehana Kauser Pak 1.69m; Jaicy Thomas Ind; S Jayanthi Ind.