Indian Athletics – News – Walkers Gurmeet and Panocha qualified for Olympics and World championships -/ By Ram. Murali Krishnan /

Dublin, Ireland – 26 June 2011 – Two Indian walkers Gurmeet Singh and Babubhai Panocha delivered noteworthy performances to attain the qualifying marks for the World championships (Daegu, Korea – 27 Aug to 4 Sep, 2011) and the XXX Olympiad (London-2012) today at Dublin, Ireland.

The 18^th Dublin International Grand Prix of Race Walking, which is part of this year's IAAF Race Walking Challenge, is one of the pre-designated meets to achieve qualification for both Daegu and London.

National champion Gurmeet Singh clocked an excellent 1:22:05 while finished sixth in the 20 km event held at Phoenix Park, Dublin.  Earlier this year he clocked a fantastic 1:20:35, an Indian best, during the national grand prix at Patiala on 3^rd May.    Babubhai Panocha returned a personal best 1:23:04 today in the Irish capital.  Panocha's earlier mark of 1:23:06 was achieved when he finished 20^th at the World championships in Berlin two years ago.  Gurmeet bettered the "A" standard of 1:22:30 while Panocha's time was better than the "B" grade (1:24:00).   The above event was won by Wang Zhen from China in 1:19:46.

In the gruelling 50 km walk, Indian Basant Bahadur Rana barely missed the "B" qualifying standard of 4:09:00 as he clocked 4:10:51 for the second place.   The above race was held under trying conditions as incredible heat waves foiled many global medallists complete the race and forced many to drop out en route.  Only seven walkers out of 18 starters finished the race.  Finland's Antti Kempas won the race in 4:02:37.  

Harminder Singh, another Indian on the fray has also dropped out midway.  Harminder was the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in 20 km race walk at New Delhi last year.

/ Ram. Murali Krishnan /      

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