Date:19/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/19/stories/2008071960952200.htm

Sport

Pramila, Susmita book Beijing berths

Special Correspondent

First time three Indian heptathletes qualify

— Photo: G.P. Sampath Kumar

PICTURE OF ELATION: Pramila Aiyappa (right) and Susmita Singha Roy congratulate each other after qualifying for the Olympics.

BANGALORE: Hepthatletes Pramila Aiyappa and Susmita Singha Roy on Friday qualified for the Beijing Olympics from the National combined events and jumps at the SAI South Centre.

And for the first time ever India will be represented by three heptathletes at the Olympics, J.J. Shobha having qualified at the Madurai inter-State meet.

Susmita and Pramila were ideally placed going into the second day, and after the day’s two events, long jump and javelin throw the respective coaches — Dr. Kuntal Roy and Aiyappa — sounded very optimistic of their wards making the mark. In the 800 metres, the last of the seven events, Pramila needed a 2:22.0 effort, while Susmita had to come under 2:20.00. And the photo-finish camera showed both dipping under 2:18.00 seconds.

The results: Boys Under-16: High Jump: 1. Harshith (Kar, 1.68m); 2. M.U. Yatheen (Kar, 1.60m).

Under-18: High Jump: 1. S. Nikhil Chittarasu (TN, 2.05m); 2. P. Shivanandam (TN, 1.9m); 3. Arun S. Kumar (Ker, 1.9m).

Triple Jump: 1. A. Azaruddin (TN, 14.5m); 2. Arshad M. (Kar, 14.31m); 3. Carl Denis Britto (Kar, 14.3m).

Under-20: Long Jump: 1. Suresh Babu (TN, 6.85m); 2. Rositto Sax (TN, 6.74m); 3. Swapnil Vasganka (Goa, 6.35m).

Men: Triple Jump: 1. Amarjit Singh (Jhar, 16.37m); 2. Malkith Singh (Pun, 15.57m); 3. R. Manigandan (TN, 14.42m).

Pole Vault: 1. K.P. Bimin (Ker, 4.9m); 2. N. Vadivelu (TN, 4.7m); 3. Sunder Singh (Pun, 4.5m).

Decathlon: 1. P.J. Vinod (Ker, 7070 pts); 2. Ranjeet Randhawa (Jhar, 7002); 3. Vikram Singh (Pun, 6650).

Girls: Under-16: Pentathlon: 1. Nirupama Sundarraj (Kar, 2640); 2. Shalini Naik (Kar, 2563); 3. Prajna (Kar, 2484).

Under-18: High Jump: 1. K. Anandi (TN, 1.68m); 2. G.M. Aishwarya (Kar, 1.57m); 3. Rohini D. Rao (Kar, 1.48m).

Triple Jump: 1. Joyline M. Lobo (Kar, 11.95m); 2. G. Gayathri (TN, 11.89m); 3. Melwin Mary (TN, 11.79m0.

Heptathlon: 1. G.M. Aishwarya (Kar, 4329); 2. G. Gayathri (TN, 4233); 3. K. Bhavya Mandanna (Kar, 3136).

Under 20: Heptathlon: 1. Anitha Shree (TN, 3486); 2. B.B. Shubha (Kar, 3447); 3. Manjushree (Kar, 3191).

Women: Long Jump: 1. Anju B. George (TN, 6.55m); 2. Mayookha Johny (Ker, 6.35m); 3. Rashmi Bose (Ker, 5.83m).

Heptathlon: 1. Pramila Aiyappa (Jhar, 6078); 2. Susmita Singha Roy (WB, 6027); 3. M.P. Shinimol (Ker, 4848).