Indian Athletics – News – 20th Asian Athletics Championships – Li Ling vaulted 4.54m -/ Ram. Murali Krishnan /-

Pune, India – 6 July 2013 – It was a dry day for the hosts India at the 20th Asian Athletics Championships as there is no medal on their way on the penultimate day of the biennial area championships here at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi.

However the Asian powerhouse continue to rule the proceedings with Li Ling vaulted to a new meet mark in women’s pole vault by scaling 4.54m—just 1 cm above the previous record set by her country-mate Gao Shuying in Incheon (Korea) eight years ago. 

Started her quest in the height of 4.10m, which she cleared in her second attempt, Li Ling made first time clearances over 4.30 and 4.40m.  After a second try-out on 4.50m the Chinese asked for 4.54m—the record height—and made perfect vault!   Teammate Ren Mingqian (4.40m) and Chomchuendei of Thailand (4.15) made it to podium with Ling.

Lingwei, Lakmali improved javelin records

It is “Li” again.  While Li Ling opened the first record of the day in pole vault, it was her teammate Li Lingwei to complete the record spree by hurled the javelin to 60.65m—another championship record.  What is surprised is the fierce competition she received from ace Sri Lankan thrower Nadeeka Lakmali—who also bettered the previous meet mark of 58.35m by pegging the spear at 60.16m for the silver.  Japan’s Risa Miyashita took the bronze in 55.30m.

Strongman Nazarov proved his mettle on field

The absence of meet record holder Koji Murofushi (Japan) could easily be forgotten as 2009 winner Dilshod Nazarov from Tajikistan displayed enchanting athleticism to send the ball and chain to 78.32m.  However he missed the chance to improve the Indian all-comers’ record held by his countryman Andrey Abdulayev (79.10m) set on the same venue some 18 years ago!

In women’s shot put Liu Xiangrong (China) repeats her 2007 feet by winning the gold with a heave of 18.67m.  Sixth in London Olympics, Xiangrong was in silver position in the last editions of the championships held in 2009 and 2011.  Her winning throw in Pune, 18.67m, was just 6 cm short of the season best she registered while taking gold in the World Challenge meet at Beijing two months ago.  Iran’s Leyla Rajabi (formerly Tatsiana Ilyushchanka of Belarus) also one place up from her Kobe bronze to win the silver medal here by putting the shot to 18.18m.  The bronze went to Gao Yang of China in 17.76m.

Impressive relay races by Hong Kong and China

The Saturday evening also witnessed some impressive races by relay quartets from East Asian countries.  Hong Kong won its first ever gold by taking men’s sprint relay (4x100m) in 38.94 secs—the fastest winning time in eleven years!  The quartet of Tang Yik chun, Lai Chun Ho, Ng Ka Fung and Tsui Chi Ho made it a season best in Pune ahead of Japan (39.11) and China (39.17).

In the women’s race China won a gold medal after 11 years in the championship as Tao Yujia, Li Manyuan, Lin Huijun and Wei Yongli clocked 44.01 secs for the top spot followed by Japan (44.38) and Thailand (44.44).  India finished fourth clocking 45.03 secs.

 Winatho retained gold in heptathlon

Thailand’s Wassana Winatho defended her title from Kobe with an improved tally of 5818 points.  Although she was leading only four out of seven events—100m hurdles, high jump, 200m and 800m—it was enough for her to make the podium.  Her performances in hurdles and high jump could even fetch her medals in the individual events as she clocked impressive 13.90 secs and scaled 1.82m in those events respectively. 

 At the end of penultimate day’s competitions China continue to lead the medal tally with 12 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals.  Bahrain (4-4-1), Uzbekistan (3-4-1), Saudi Arabia (3-0-0), Japan (2-4-8) and India (1-3-5) followed in that order.

Tomorrow will be the final day of the championships with 12 finals on the cards in the evening session starting at 4 p.m.

-/ Ram. Murali Krishnan /-

Indian Athletics – News

Stats by Ken Nakamura