Sport

Anju happy with her performance

KOCHI: “You should get an Olympic gold this time,” said one of her fans from the crowd.

“Pray,” replied Anju George.

“You should jump seven metres at the Olympics,” said another.

Anju nodded, then smiled.

Competing at home after nearly seven years, Indian athletics’ super star began her outdoor season with a very promising 6.50m effort which comfortably fetched her gold at the South Asian championship here on Friday evening.

“I am happy but not fully,” said Anju. “I was in the 6.70m range but I was jumping from behind the board a couple of times here. Still, this is early season, this is a very positive sign.” At the Star Lagoon last evening, Anju had said that the seven-metre landmark in the event was still within her range. “It’s somewhere near but I can’t catch it.”

The former World championship medallist appeared more confident after the good season-opener this evening. “I can go for seven metres this season. This is one of the best starts I’ve had. I enjoy competing at home, I feel very relaxed.”

Contrary to expectations, Anju was in a world of her own. One had expected Mayookha Johny and M. A. Prajusha to give the Olympian a good fight. But surprisingly, they were nowhere in the picture after Anju, a strong starter, started with a bang, a 6.45m effort. “It’s not pressure or tension,” said Mayookha, who hit a personal best 6.32m while winning the Federation Cup a few days ago in Bhopal. “I think the series of meets has left me tired. Also, my hand went backwards and upset my landing in my opening effort. It upset my rhythm.”

Anju said she expected something around 6.30m from the young girls. “May be, it’s lack of experience.”

Meanwhile Sinimole Paulose, who turned in one of the bright performances of the day by winning the women’s 800m, said she was thrilled with the home support. “I rarely hear people shouting out my name but here I could hear it aloud and often too.”

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