Asian Games 1,500m gold medallist Jinson Johnson is expected to have an easy outing as he headlines the second leg of the Indian Grand Prix at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Johnson was part of the national camp ahead of their maiden outings this year, his first competition since the Jakarta Games in August. Tajinder Pal Singh Toor, who won the shot put at the Asian Games and who qualified for the Asian Championships in the first leg on Saturday, has decided to skip the event. Quartermiler Hima Das, who was expected to participate in the event, has been training abroad and has to appear for her exams, ruling her out.
Barring Hima’s absence, the women’s 400m is expected to see a strong field with Jisna Mathew, M. R. Poovamma, Anu Raghavan and Vismaya V. K. all having entered.
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Tajinder Pal Singh Toor wins gold
More than winning, however, the big names will be looking to record a decent timing ahead of the Federation Cup next month. While some rustiness is expected in the season opener, a quick run in New Delhi for the Asian meet would give them enough time to prepare without worrying about qualification.
Hoping to do better than her 100m performance from the first leg of the Indian Grand Prix will be Dutee Chand, this time in the 200m, with Sonia Baishya her only close competition.
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