All in readiness: AFI coach Radhakrishnan Nair, centre, mentioned he was trying ahead to the javelin competitors.
| Photograph Credit score: BISWARANJAN ROUT
World and Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra’s return to a home occasion after his historic efficiency within the Tokyo Video games three years in the past would be the greatest spotlight of the Nationwide Federation athletics meet, beginning on the Kalinga Stadium right here on Sunday.
Moreover Asian Video games gold medallist Neeraj, silver medallist and native favorite Kishore Jena might be one other massive attraction as followers will get an opportunity to see each of them in motion after watching them on tv throughout their season-opening performances within the Doha Diamond League.
As per Athletics Federation of India (AFI) guidelines, the athletes who’ve crossed 75m will straight take part within the javelin last on Wednesday. Three will make it to the ultimate by means of the qualifying spherical.
India chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair seemed ahead to the javelin competitors, which might additionally function skilled throwers D.P. Manu and Shivpal Singh. He was happy with performances of Neeraj (second, 88.36m) and Jena (ninth, 76.31m) performances in Doha.
“If Neeraj has achieved 88m within the season opener, we are able to anticipate him to do higher within the Olympics. Don’t underestimate Jena, he has achieved two throws throughout warm-up and people had been greater than 83m. He was a bit excited, possibly a bit nervous additionally as a result of all had been main throwers,” Nair mentioned on the pre-competition press convention right here on Saturday.
Aside from the 2 Olympic certified throwers, Asian Video games gold medallist shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, lengthy jumper Jeswin Aldrin, triple jumpers Praveen Chitravel, who got here near qualifying for the Olympics within the Indian Grand Prix in Bengaluru, Abdulla Aboobacker, and the 4x400m relay group members, together with Amoj Jacob, Muhammad Ajmal, Dandi Jyothika Sri and Subha Venkatesan, might be a number of the well-known athletes competing right here.
Jacob, who ran the anchor leg within the Olympic qualifier in Bahamas, mentioned he was but to beat jet lag however selected to take part within the occasion. “I’ll be working a person 400m right here to enhance my world rating,” mentioned Jacob.
Lacking out
Nonetheless, a number of high names, together with steeplechaser Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary, quarter-milers Nationwide report holder Muhammad Anas, Arokia Rajeev, Rajesh Ramesh and Noah Nirmal Tom, lengthy jumper Ancy Sojan, 800m Asian Video games medallist Harmilan Bains, will miss the occasion on account of varied causes.
In view of some massive names failing dope assessments this yr forward of the Olympics, the Nationwide Anti-Doping Company is anticipated to be energetic through the occasion.
Printed – Could 11, 2024 07:05 pm IST
