Date:11/07/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/07/11/stories/2003071103772000.htm

Sport - Athletics

Alka, Mandeep fail to qualify

KOCHI JULY 10. Kerala's A.P. Alka Chikili failed to qualify for the women's triple jump finals at the third World Youth athletic championships in Sherbrooke, Canada, on Thursday.

Chikili, the National School Games champion, who has a personal best of 12.14m, had a disappointing 11.31m today and finished 11th in the Group `A' qualifying round. Twentyfive athletes, in two groups, figured in the qualifying round.

Romania's Cristine Spataru topped the qualifiers with an effort of 12.89m. The finals will be held on Friday. Punjab's Mandeep Kaur was also way below her best as she finished last in her group in the women's 400m heats. Mandeep, who shattered the School Games National record with a timing of 56.4 secs in Bangalore early this year, could manage just 1:00.27 secs. The championship began on Wednesday and the first gold went to Morocco's Siham Hilali, who won the women's 3000m in a personal best time of 9:12.70 secs. Kenya's Kipkoech Pasalia Chepkorir and Japan's Nohara Yuko took the silver and bronze respectively. — Our Sports Reporter