Tintu Luka underlined her status as the best two-lap runner in the country with a typically aggressive run even as Ghamanda Ram struck a blow for experience in the men's 800M on the second day of the 52nd Inter-State National Athletics Championships on Sunday.
With none of the preceding events producing a performance of note, the spotlight was firmly on the women's 800M, the final event of the day. Tintu, looking for a good time, was expected to face a stiff challenge from Sinimole, who has been in good form this season.
But Tintu, the national record holder in this event at 1:59.17, made light of the threat even though the time she was looking for did not materialise in what was essentially a one-horse race. The 23-year-old timed 2:01.36 for the gold while Sinimole claimed the silver in 2:03.71.
Tintu, as is her wont, powered ahead early, building up a strong lead while Sinimole ran at her pace. A quick first lap from Tintu raised visions of a good time even as Sinimole stayed ten metres behind. The P T Usha-ward maintained the advantage in the final straight too, despite tiring noticeably nearing the finish.
“If she had someone with her, she could have done better,” said Usha on her ward who has a season's best of 2:01.09 at the Diamond League in Doha and a career best of 1:59.17. Sini, whose season's best is 2:02.78, felt she could have done better while looking ahead to her next event, the 1500M.
In the men's 800M, Ghamanda ran a calculated race, while Sajeesh Joseph, the favourite, paid the price for his early speed.
The race was between Sajeesh and Francis Sagayaraj early on but Ghamanda started making his move with 450 metres left. Sajeesh started fading in the straight and the Rajasthan man pounced, steaming away to the gold in 1:47.57. Chattisgarh's Jinson Johnson came from behind to push Sajeesh (1:48.85) to the third spot.
There was no Olympic qualification for P Kunhumohammed, who was hoping to touch the mark of 45.70 in the men's 400M. The Kerala runner timed 46.20, outside his personal best of 46.14, to win the gold comfortably from S K Mortaja (46.91) of Bengal.
Bibin Mathew, who was expecting a good time, false-started to be disqualified. Debashree Majumdar of Bengal won the corresponding race in the women's section, in the absence of M R Poovamma, who skipped this event due to a back injury suffered in training.
As expected, Jithin Thomas won the men's high jump, clearing 2.14 in a mediocre competition. Karnataka's S Harshith, who has parted ways with his coach Gaonkar, picked up the silver at 2.11M.
Joseph Abraham's plan to try for the Olympic grade in the semifinal of the 400M hurdles didn't succeed as he timed 50.60 as against the standard of 49.80 while Avin Thomas, his challenger, was disqualified for a false start.
Results: Men: 400M: P Kunhumohammed (Kerala) 46.20 seconds, 1; S K Mortaja (Bengal) 46.91, 2; Aroakya Rajiv (Rajasthan) 47.86, 3. 800M: Ghamanda Ram (Rajasthan) 1:47.57, 1; Jinson Johnson (Chhatisgarh) 1:47.80, 2; Sajeesh Joseph (Kerala) 1:48.85, 3. 3000M steeple chase: Sanjit Luwan (Manipur) 8:47.09, 1; Ramachandran (Tamil Nadu) 8:47.58, 2; Jaiveer (Haryana) 8:53. 32, 3. High jump: Jithin Thomas (Kerala) 2.14 metres, 1; Harshith S (Karnataka) 2.11, 2; Nikhil Chittarasu (Tamil Nadu) 2.08, 3. Hammer throw: Narain Singh (Uttar Pradesh) 65.95 metres, 1; Niraj Kumar (Rajasthan) 60.54, 2; Daler Singh (Punjab) 57.10, 3. Decathlon: K Dileep Kumar (Maharashtra) 6676 points, 1; Chandrahas Kushwaha (Uttar Pradesh) 6672, 2; Raneesh V V (Kerala) 6594, 3.
Women: 400M: Debashri Majumdar (Bengal) 54.60 seconds, 1; Saraswati C (Odisha) 54.89, 2; Rattandeep Kaur (Punjab) 55.08, 3. 800M: Tintu Luka (Kerala) 2:01.36, 1; Sinimole Paulose (Karnataka) 2:03.71, 2; S R Bindu (Kerala) 2:09.53. 3000M steeple chase: Priyanka Singh (Uttar Pradesh) 10:42.21, 1; Kiran Tiwari (Haryana) 10:42.67, 2; Chinta Yadav (Uttar Pradesh) 11:40.42, 3. Long jump: M A Prajusha (Kerala) 6.24 metres, 1; Shraddha Ghuley (Maharashtra) 6.14, 2; Susan K Joy (Kerala) 6.13, 3. Shot put: Patwant Kaur (Punjab) 13.76 metres, 1; P Udayalakshmi (Andhra Pradesh) 13.35, 2; Suparna Ghost (Bengal) 13.31, 3.
