Last chance for Asiad hopefuls

PT Usha is yet to decide on the two events she will run here. “I had a heel injury which had forced me to skip the Open Nationals earlier this month,” Usha told The Indian Express. “It is yet to heal properly. My doctor advised me not to strain it by competing in more than two events.” Her events in the Inter-state meet will be any two among 100m, 200m and 400m.

“Of course, in the Asian Games, I will concentrate on the 200 and400m.” Sheadded that she will not go “all out” in the Inter-state. “I will run upto 90 per cent of my capability.” Among the other athletes, Paramjit Singh, who had broken Milkha Singh’s men’s 400m national record in the Open Nationals, has already qualified for the Games. The target in this event was 45.95 seconds, Paramjit’s timing in the ATF meet in Fukuoka earlier this year. He will now try to better than his new national mark of 45.70 seconds.

Jyotirmoyee Sikdar, who will represent Bengal, will compete in the 400m, 800m and the 1500m for women in the Inter-state, but for the Asiad, her events will be 800m and 1500m. “I would have run the 400 too, but the dates clash.”

The final list for the Asian Games will be declared soon after the meet is over. In fact, a list has already been forwarded to the Indian Olympic Association and athletes who have been able to perform well, will be withdrawn. Many border-line cases who have not been able to meet the targets will also be considered. After themeet, Asiad probables will return to the camp in Jamshedpur. They will leave for New Delhi on Nov 22 for the final phase of the camp will be held.