World u-20 ch'ship: Abitha enters semis; Jisna disqualified

Abitha, from P. T. Usha’s School of Athletics who was seventh in last month’s Asian junior championship in Vietnam, clocked 2:06.91 while finishing fifth.

Abitha Mary Manuel impressed on her way to the women’s 800m semifinal.

Abitha Mary Manuel came up with a personal best on her way to the women’s 800m semifinal but fellow Keralite Jisna Mathew was disqualified for a lane violation in the women’s 400m first round heat at the World under-20 championship which began at Bydgoszcz, Poland, on Tuesday.

Jisna, a member of the senior Indian mile relay team, came up with a powerful run and finished third but it went in vain.

Abitha, who was seventh in last month’s Asian junior meet in Vietnam, clocked 2:06.91 while finishing fifth.

The top four from each heat entered the semifinal along with the next four fastest runners and Abhitha made the grade through this gate.

West Bengal’s Lili Das, a double gold medallist in the Asian junior meet, crashed out finishing seventh and last in her 800m heat in 2:13.45.

Meanwhile Ajay Kumar Saroj finished fourth in the men’s 1500m first round in 3:44.96 and entered the final while Yugant Shekhar Singh progressed to the men’s long jump final after finishing third in the preliminary round with a 7.68m jump.