Patel sets Natl mark

Satish Kumar Patel stole the limelight in front of his home crowd as he set a national junior record in the 10,000M walk event on the second day of the National Junior Athletics Championships here on Sunday.

Uttar Pradesh athlete Patel clocked 41:29.85 to better State-mate Vijay Gehlot’s 12-year-old national record of 42:58.00. Three other athletes, who finished behind Satish, also bettered Gehlot’s old record.

Haryana under-16 javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra made a giant improvement to the national best in his age-group with an effort of 68.46M. Team-mate Mandeep Kumar (66.24M) made it 1-2 for Haryana. UP lad Dharmender Kumar Patel held the previous mark of 62.14M since 2007. 

In the youth boys’ 10,000M walk, Kuldeep successfully defended his title but clocked only 44:06.28s, slower than his meet and national record of 42:58.1 which he timed at Ranchi. 

In the same age-group, Maharashtra’s Mandeep Goyat improved the meet record in 800M as he pipped Delhi boy Lalit Mathur to the post with 1:53:02 to 1:53:03.
Other successful title defender was Kerala girl R Anu in 400M hurdles.