Two new meet records were set on the opening day of the 61st SNJ-National Inter-State Athletics Championships here on Friday. None of the athletes could make it to the Commonwealth Games or the World Championships.
Kerala’s long jumper M. Sreeshankar set a new mark in the qualifying event with a jump of 8.01m, erasing Prem Kumar’s 8.00m effort in 2013. Muhammed Anees Yahia Jesvin Aldrin of Kerala finished second with 7.71 to 7.85m.
Tamil Nadu had a good day in the women’s pole vault as she claimed the top three positions with E. Baranika claiming the gold with a new meet mark of 4.05m. Rosie Meena Paulraj and Pavitra Venkatesh finished second and third after covering a distance of 4 metres, the old mark set by Khyati Vakharia in 2018.
failed attempt
After clearing 4.05 metres, Baranika covered a distance of 4.10 metres, which she couldn’t pass in two attempts, while ‘passing’ the third. She went for the juggler, going for the national record held by Surekha (4.15m, 2014), but failed again.
Abhishek Pal and Sanjeevani Baburao Jadhav registered opposite wins to clinch gold medals in the men’s and women’s 10,000 meters respectively. While Sanjeevani led from start to finish, Abhishek faced a tough challenge from Gulvir Singh and Dharmendra.
Result: Men: 10000m: 1. Abhishek Pal (UP) 29:55.51, 2. Gulveer Singh (UP) 29:55.71, 3. Dharmendra (Raj) 29:55.84.
Long jump (qualifying): 1. M Sreeshankar (Kerala) 8.01 m (NMR, old: Prem Kumar, 8.00 m, Chennai, 2013), 2. Mohd Anees Yahiya (Ker) 7.85, 3. Jessvin Aldrin (Tamil Nadu) 7.71.
women pole vault 1. E. Baranika (TN) 4.05m (NMR, Old: Khyati Vakharia, 4.00m, Guwahati, 2018), 2. Rosie Meena Paulraj (TN) 4.00m, 3. Pavitra Venkatesh (TN) 3.90m.