Sport

Indian women’s team wins gold in 4x100m relay

JOB well done: Indian women’s relay team celebrates after winning the 4x100m relay in the Commonwealth Youth Games on Wednesday.

PUNE: Gayathri Govindharaj took off like a rocket on the anchor leg, overtaking an Australian in her stride before hitting the tape for gold in the women’s 4x100m relay in the athletics competition.

The Indian women relay runners combined well once again to grab the honours in the concluding event on the second day, clocking 46.27 seconds. Nirupama Sundaraj and Bhagyashree Shirke ran the first two legs while Shrabani Nanda’s burst on the third leg set up India’s victory.

Sadariwam Shehan Abeypitiyage confirmed Sri Lanka’s dominance in sprints once again, gliding along the track to anchor the 4x100m relay victory. Zambian sisters Rachael Nachula and Rebecca Nachula, stocky and muscular, bounded down the track on the turn for home in the women’s 400m final. Sandwiched between these strongwomen, the wiry Poovamma M.R. ran in her own world, fighting demons in the mind and fatigue, willing her body forward.

Rachael was a clear winner in 52.97. The Indian moved up from fifth to second with a lung-bursting effort over the last 50 metres, seeking to wipe out memories of a sluggish 200m in the first half of the race. Poovamma eventually pipped Rebecca for the second spot (55.17).

Rachael, a recipient of the IOC scholarship, has been fighting the odds all through her life. The African had a personal best of 51.39, clocked at the African Championships in Addis Ababa on May 2, 2008. She took the bronze there. She was in the national squad for the Beijing Olympics, where she qualified for the semifinals (52.67).

Poovamma was also at Beijing, but was only a reserve runner in the Indian 4x400m relay team.

Long jumper Aishwarya G.M. was taken to a medical centre for treatment after injuring her leg while landing on her third jump. She was second after two jumps with 5.75m. Discus thrower Arjun Kumar won a bronze.

The results (all finals): Men: 400m: 1. James Kirani (Grn) 46.66s, 2. Elvis Ukale (Nig) 47.16, 3. Jordan McGrath (Eng) 47.26. 1500m: 1. Jonathan Ndiku (Ken) 3:45.96, 2. Alex Cherop (Uga) 3:48.41, 3. Cylof Jonas (SA) 3:48.41.