Aman books Finland berth, Priyadarshini unlucky

Haryana’s 400m hurdler Aman and Tamil Nadu triple jumper Priyadarshini Suresh struck form in the South Asian junior athletics championships.

Chennai's Priyadharshini Suresh who broke the girls triple jump record in the South Asian junior athletics championships in Colombo on Sunday; with her is former international Nizamuddin, a jumps coach with the Indian team.

Haryana’s 400m hurdler Aman and Tamil Nadu triple jumper Priyadarshini Suresh came up with personal bests as they struck gold in the South Asian junior athletics championships in Colombo on Sunday.

Aman’s time of 52.56s (qual. std 53s) helped him qualify for the under-20 World championships in Finland in July, but Chennai’s Priyadharshini was unlucky as her best jump of 12.90m was wind-assisted (entry standard 12.85m) and hence will not count towards qualification.

Karuniya’s precious silver

Another TN girl, discus thrower Karuniya Muthu Ramalingam made the under-20 Worlds grade despite finishing second. Her throw of 48.58m was better than the Finland entry standard of 48m. The gold medallist, Punjab’s Arpandeep Kaur Bajwa had made the grade in the recent Junior Federation Cup in Coimbatore.

India topped the medal table with 20 gold, 22 silver and 8 bronze medals.

The results:

400m hurdles: 1. P.M.P.L. Kodikara (Sri) 52.56s MR, OR 52.91; 2. Aman (Ind) 52.56 BR; 3. Dhval Mahesh Utekar (Ind) 53.35.

Triple jump: 1. Priyadharshini Suresh (Ind) 12.90m MR, OR 12.68; 2. Khushbeen Waraich (Ind) 12.59.

Javelin throw: 1. Sanjana Choudhary (Ind) 48.08m MR, OR 41.69. Discus throw: 1. Arpandeep Kaur Bajwa (Ind) 48.60s MR, OR 45.79; 2. Karuniya Muthu Ramalingam (Ind) 48.58.