Kerala’s O P Jaisha upset statemate Preeja Sreedharan to win the 5000 metres gold on the opening day of the 47th National inter-state athletic championships here on Monday.
Jaisha, with an effort of 16:21.06 pipped her more fancied rival and National Games gold medallist Preeja who had to be content with the second place after stopping the clock at 16:25.31.
Meanwhile Karnataka’s Kavya Muthanna opened the State’s account with a bronze medal in the women’s high jump with an effort of 1.70 metres.
The gold in the event went to Kavya’s former statemate Sahana Kumari (1.79) who now represents Jharkhand.
Saroj Sihag won Haryana’s first gold with an effort of 52.37 metres in the women’s discus throw. Seema Antil, also from Haryana, and Baljit Kaur of Punjab came second and third respectively.
Antil threw 52.08 while Baljit was way behind at 46.93 metres.
Results:
Men: 5000M: Surender Singh (Uttarakhand) 13:55.71, 1; Kashinath Aswale (Jharkhand) 14:05.76, 2; Sunil Kumar (Jharkhand) 14:14.34, 3.
Shot put: Satendra Kumar (Jharkhand) 17.94M 1; Om Prakash (Haryana) 17.83 2; Amit Tyagi (Gujarat) 16.30 3.
Women:
5000M: O P Jaisha (Kerala) 16:21.06, 1; Preeja Sreedharan (Kerala) 16:25.31, 2; Kavita Raut (Maharashtra) 16:27.77, 3.
High jump: Sahana Kumari (Jharkhand)1.79M 1; Maryan C Thariyan (Delhi) 1.76 2; Kavya Muthanna (Karnataka) 1.70.
Discus throw: Saroj Sihag (Haryana) 52.37M 1; Seema Antil (Haryana) 52.08) 2; Baljit Kaur (Punjab) 46.93.