AFI Media
28 August 2018
Jakarta (Indonesia). Manjit Singh became the first Indian man in 36 years to win gold in the 800 metres at the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.
Singh, who was a 2010 Commonwealth Games semifinalist and a runner-up at the 2018 Federation Cup and Inter-State Championships, won the race in a time of 1:46.15 seconds, finishing ahead of fellow countryman and favorite Jinson Johnson.
Johnson, the national record holder in the 800 metres, having broken Sriram Singh’s 42-year-old mark had pipped Manjit to two domestic titles this year, won the silver medal clocking 1:46.35. This was the first instance of India winning the gold and silver medals in the men’s 800 metres since the inaugural Asiad in New Delhi in 1951.
India’s mixed relay team managed to win a silver medal in the newly introduced 4X400 metres event. The team, comprising of Muhammed Anas, MR Poovamma, Hima Das and Arokia Rajiv finished in a time of 3:15.71. India had opted for a ‘man-woman-woman-man’ formation in the mixed relay, Anas going first followed by Poovamma and Hima as Arokia Rajiv went last.
The Athletics Federation of India have lodged a protest, alleging that Hima Das’ handover was obstructed by a Bahraini runner. A jury will deliberate on this appeal and the results of the appeal are expected by 10 am tomorrow.
Dutee Chand, looking to follow up on her silver medal in the 100 metres, qualified for the final of the women’s 200 metres with a time of 23.00 seconds. Hima Das, in the first semifinal, was disqualified after she jumped the starting gun and was charged with a false start.
Earlier, both women had come through the heats of the competition, Dutee winning her Heat with a time of 23.37 seconds while Hima had qualified as one of the fastest lucky losers, finishing with a time of 23.47 seconds.
At the end of four events in the heptathlon, Swapna Barman currently lies second with 3481 points, 32 behind the leader Wang Qingling of China. Barman, who was in discomfort due to a tooth ache, was brave in competition despite the pain. Purnima Hembram is a further 67 points behind in third place, with 3 events to go.
Annu Rani finished 6th in the women’s Javelin Throw final, as she could muster a highest attempt of 53.93 metres. Rani fouled her final three throws to finish short of the medal places.
In the women’s 5000 metres, Suriya Loganathan was fifth with a time of 15:49.30, behind winner Kalkidan Befkadu of Bahrain. Sanjivani Jadhav, who was also a part of the event, came in seventh.
