BANGKOK ∙ The World Athletics Championship is a month away and the Asian Games starting on September 13..The Indian athletics team is on the track of the Asian fight from today with an eye on the 2 major events to be held. India is aiming for its best ever medal tally when the 24th Asian Athletics Championships hits the track in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand today. In the last championship held in Doha in 2019, India stood fifth with 16 medals including 2 gold. The championship that was supposed to be held in China last year was shifted to Thailand after a break due to Covid. The championship is up to 16.
The main attraction of the meet is that the winners of the Asian Championships will get direct entry to the World Athletics Championships. This competition is a test of strength for the athletes who are preparing for the medal fight at the Asian Games in China in September. There are 49 players in the Indian team. 7 of them are Malayalis. China has topped the medal table 17 times out of the 23 championships held so far.
Loss 5 gold
According to the team officials, India lost a solid 5 gold medals before the competition due to the withdrawal of leading players. Only Olympic champions Neeraj Chopra and Avinash Sable were exempted from the Asian Championships by the Athletics Federation. But the unexpected withdrawal of national record holders Praveen Chitravel (triple jump) and Jeswin Aldrin (long jump) was a setback for India. Both are ranked first in the current Asian rankings. In Neeraj Chopra’s absence, Rohit Yadav, who was the gold hope in men’s javelin throw, is also out for the Asian Championship due to injury.
Malayalam players Jinson Johnson and Mohammad Afzal during training at the Asian Championship venue, Bangkok National Stadium.
Sreesankar and Tejinder as Prakesh
Shot put player Tejinderpal Singh Tour, Malayalee long jumper M. Sreesankar and hurdles player Jyoti Yaraji are hopeful for India. Tejinder broke the Asian record by throwing 21.77 meters in the national senior meet held last month. In the men’s long jump, world champion Jiannan Wang of China is also in the fray as a challenge to Sreesankar, who is ranked second in the world for the season. In the women’s 100m hurdles, Jyoti Yaraji has been in brilliant form this season.
Lucky symbol Hanuman
Bangkok ∙ Hanuman is the lucky symbol of the Asian Athletics Championship starting today. Hanuman utilized extraordinary speed, courage and intelligence to serve Lord Rama. The Asian Athletics Association said on its website that Hanuman was chosen as the mascot because of these qualities.
English Summary : Asian Athletics Championship begins today
2023-07-12 05:57:25
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