Journalism of Courage
While drawing blank on the track,India secured two bronze medals in the field events of the 20th Asian Athletics Championships here on Wednesday.
Long jumper Mayookha Johnny and discus thrower Krishna Poonia were competing against the advice of doctors in the hope of winning gold,a result that would see them book berths for the Moscow World Championships to be held in August. While Johnny finished third,Poonia finished outside the medals at fourth. Johnny jumped with a strapped up right ankle to hold together a torn ligament,while Poonia was struggling with a groin injury. Also read: Shot-putter withdrawn hours ahead of start
The second medallist from India,shot-putter OP Karhana kicked the turf in disappointment after winning bronze. His anguish stemmed from the fact that he could not reach his potential though his injured throwing elbow had healed after a year of pain. Karhana who was leading till the start of the fourth round with his second effort of 19.45 metres saw his hopes of winning gold vanish when Saudi Arabias Sultan Alhebshi,the winner,threw the iron ball to a distance of 19.68 metres in the fifth attempt. In the same round,the meet record holder from Chinese Taipei,Chang Ming-huang,touched a distance of 19.61 to take the second spot from Karhana. Also read: All in awe of Saudi sergeant Al-Hebshi
With the deadline to qualify for the World Championships ending on July 20,Karhana felt the hurt of failing to make the grade. I felt that I was in good form and was hoping to cross the 20-metre mark. The rain didnt help matters and I did slip during a warm-up throw and the slippery surface was playing on my mind but I dont want to blame the weather because the conditions was same for all the competitors, Karhana said.
Karhana has requested the Athletics Federation of India to field him for at least two more events in Europe before the qualifying deadline.
However,Karhana both Mayookha and Poonia will have to nurse their injuries. Mayookha was never in contention for the gold. The defending champion began with a foul before registering jumps of 6.06,6.18 and 6.30 metres,the fourth round attempt earning her the bronze.
Last Thursday I had twisted my right ankle and did not practice since. I didnt train even on the eve of the event. I wont be able to participate in the World championships as I have no meets lined up before the deadline ends, Mayookha said.
Poonia came up short with a throw of 55.01,good enough for only fourth. I will take time off till my groin injury heals, Poonia said.
Preeja fourth
However,in the 10,000 metres Preeja Sreedharans season best of 33:41.97 left her a distant fourth in a race that was won by Bahrains Shitaye Eshete Habtegebrel,the defending champion from the previous edition held in Kobe in 2011,with a new meet record of 32:17.29. So dominant was Habtegebrel that she lapped Preeja,the Guangzhou Asian Games gold medallist in this event,during the final lap after she broke away from UnitedUAEs Alia Saeed and Japans Ayumi Hagiwara.
In action today
Womens 400 metre final: Indias MR Poovamma,unbeaten this season,has a good shot to win gold and qualify for the World Championships. Poovamma recorded her personal best of 52.75 seconds at the Federation Cup in Patiala in April and followed it up by sweeping the titles in the three legs of the Asian Grand Prix series. However,she will face competition from Kazakhstans Yuliya Rakhmanova who has clocked 52.86 seconds last month.
Mens discuss throw: Indias Vikas Gowda is a medal prospect but will have to face the challenge of Saudi Arabias Sultan Mubarak,who touched a distance of 64.25 metres less than a fortnight ago in Krakow. Gowda,who reached the final of the London Olympics,has a personal best of 66.28 metres. Gowda has a season best of 65.82 metres achieved in April this year.
