Date:06/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/06/stories/2006050610872000.htm

Sport - Athletics

Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam triumph

Special Correspondent

PRODDATUR: Visakhapatnam boys and Srikakulam girls clinched the team championships in the Andhra Pradesh State junior athletics championships, which concluded at the Government Polytechnic grounds here on Friday.

R. Bangaraiah of Visakhapatnam was adjudged best athlete, while Rama Sarvani of Hyderabad bagged that honour among the girls.

Standing out with his performance was B. Vidyasagar, who had a golden treble--in the 1,500, 3,000 and the 10,000 metres. Also catching the eye was the slightly-built Anigathala Sunitha of Noothankal village in Nalgonda district. Weighing just 35 kgs, Sunitha, towered over much taller opponents with an authoritative win in the girls' under 20 years 3000 metres as much as she dominated the 1,500 metres earlier.

E. Malleshwari, Chairperson, Zilla Parishad, Proddatur, was the chief guest and gave away the prizes, along with K.C. Pulliah, Chairman, KCP Projects and Gangi Reddy, President, Kadapa District Athletics Association. The three-day meet was jointly sponsored by Joy Ice Creams, KCP Projects and Zuari Cement.

Despite the dusty ground and the searing heat, the meet was efficiently conducted, exemplified by the amenities for athletes and other arrangements, organising which was no mean task with temperatures soaring over 40 on each day of the meet.

The results:

Boys: Team championships: 1. Visakhapatnam 54 pts.; 2. Ranga Reddy 46; 3. Krishna 44. Best athlete: R. Bangaraiah (Vsp).

Under-20: 200m: 1. K. Pavan Kumar 23s; 2. D. Bharatha Reddy; 3. K. Ravikumar Yadav. 400m hurdles: 1. G.S.S.N. Murthy 59.62s; 2. Ch. Venkateswar Rao; 3. L. Raju. 10,000m: 1. B. Vidya Sagar 35m 53.2s; 2. N. Sai Kiran; 3. Moulali S. 4x400m relay: 1. Visakhapatnam 3:37.6m; 2. Ranga Reddy 3:42m; 3. Srikakulam 3:49.5m.

Under-18: Javelin throw: 1. E. Raju 43.75m; 2. T. Ramesh; 3. K. Jangu.

Under-16: Javelin throw: 1. M. Praveen Kumar 40.20m; 2. V. Chandra Sekhar.

Girls: Team championships: 1. Srikakulam 62 pts.; 2. Hyderabad 60; 3. Visakhapatnam 41. Best athlete: Rama Sarvani.

Under-20: 3,000m: 1. A. Sunitha 11:28.8m.; 2. R. Rajyalaxmi; 3. M. Sruthi. Javelin throw: 1. L. Jhansi 24.65m; 2. P. Saritha; 3. G. Saritha.

Under-18: Javelin throw: 1. P. Asha Mary 35.50m 2. K. Tirumala 3. E. Anitha.

Under-16: Javelin throw: P. Mangavathy 24.30m 2. R. Roja 3. A. Yelmaji.