Date:12/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/12/stories/2008051255342000.htm

Sport - Sports : General

Walkers put up dismal performance

NEW DELHI: Indian walkers, in search of Olympic qualification standards, put up a disappointing performance in the World Race Walking Cup in Cheboksary, Russia, on Sunday.

Harminder Singh returned the best finish among the five members of the Indian team, finishing 63rd in 4:35:24 seconds.

The Olympic qualification mark stood at 4:07:00.

Basanta Bahadur Rana, who set a National record of 4:10:42 at Patiala in February this year, clocked 4:43:09 to occupy the 69th position. P.S. Jalan came 71st and last among the finishers in 5:04:31.

Chandan Singh was disqualified, while Babubhai Panocha, who created a sensation at Jamshedpur last year, with a National record of 1:23:40 for the 20km walk, did not finish.

Almost predictably, the Indian team finished 12th and last in the team standings with 203 points.