Looking to replicate home run
RAISING HOPE Renjith, Ankit set national marks to qualify for Rio, but need to reproduce those jumps to convince sceptics
NEW DELHI: Celebratory fireworks were set off on July 11 when Renjith Maheshwary, India’s leading triple jumper, entered the global league by producing an unbelievable jump of 17.30m.
Setting the new benchmark, right on deadline to achieve qualification for Rio, also helped erase the national record of 17.17m, set by main rival Arpinder Singh.
Maheshwary’s record-breaking performance lifts him to world No 3 this season. Two days before he achieved the mark in Bengaluru, US jumper Will Claye had jumped 17.65m at Eugene, during the national trials for Rio. China’s Dong Bin touched 17.41m in February.
FEEL GOOD FACTOR The Indian athletics think tank is ecstatic. AFI secretary CK Valson says it’s feel good not merely for the federation, but for the nation. “Maheshwary has promised to repeat his performance at Rio. If he is able to carry on the good work, he could be a potential medallist. Let’s see whether he can break the jinx,” said Valson.
In the 1972 Munich Olympics, triple jump hope Mohinder Singh Gill injured his hamstring before the event. Gill once said Ralph Boston, the US long jump great turned TV pundit, had dropped in while he was training and they had a chat. Once Boston left, Gill attempted a jump without warming up again only to be injured.
Then among the world leaders and a regular on the US circuit, Gill was a favourite.
Maheshwary’s international graph is uneven. He has done exceedingly well at home, but has a choker tag at world level.
Valson admits, “In the past he wasn’t able to sustain his efforts at international level. We don’t know why. But this time he has assured he would do his best, rather repeat his home performance.” Though he didn’t do well in his previous two Olympics, there is hope.
MARK ECLIPSED Long jumper Ankit Sharma produced an outstanding 8.19m in Kazakhstan last month, eclipsing the national record of 8.09m while qualifying for Rio. Ankit is ranked 20th in the world but says number doesn’t matter. “I have improved my speed and strength, It’s helping me during take-off and landing. I believe I have it in me to do better,” he told HT from his training base in Kerala.
The new mark has boosted his confidence. In training, Ankit says he has crossed 8.20m. “On a given day, perfect rhythm is needed to sail further in the jumping pit,” was his reply when asked about his Rio target. In the last three months, Indian athletes have set at least half a dozen new national records. The surge has helped swell the Rio contingent to 36, India’s biggest ever for any Olympics.
The men’s 4x400m relay squad’s performance of 3.00.91 seconds, also in Bengaluru last month, is one of the best in recent times.
HOPE ON THROWERS Shot putter Inderjeet Singh was good at continental level in 2015, winning gold in the Wuhan Asian athletics meet. He also threw 20.65m in a domestic meet.
“We pin our hopes on throwers. They should reach a decent level in the Games. It would pave the way for youngsters,” said Valson.
Asian Games women’s discus champion Seema Antil (Punia) and US-based discus thrower Vikas Gowda will also be there. It will be Gowda’s fourth Olympics. In London 2012, he qualified for the final, finishing eighth.
Gowda’s recent shoulder injury has been a concern, but he has resumed training.
ON THE ROAD India’s top race walkers can also spring a surprise, and six have qualified. Three will compete in men’s 20km, and one in 50km. Two have qualified for the women’s 20km event.
Gurmeet Singh, a 20km walker, has been training at odd hours in Bengaluru to get attuned to a different time zone. The others are training in Poland.
India’s ambition in distance events also extends to marathon. Kavita Raut, a former track athlete, says she would rely on her basic speed to make an impact. Her main aim is to break 2 hours 30 minutes. OP Jaisha has also switched from track to marathon.
In recent past, everytime Sudha Singh and Lalita Babar have competed in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, they have significantly improved their timings. Both had recently clocked under 9:30 in competition. Sudha is confident. “I have been running high mileage over an extended period. It should help me race better. You will see my best in Brazil.”