Athletics Federation of India set steep qualification mark for Asiad 100m

Bengaluru: Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on Saturday revealed the qualification standards for the Asian Games — slated in September-October in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — setting the benchmark high for men's 100m qualification. 

In order to qualify for the individual sprint event, the likes of Animesh Kujur and Karnataka's Manikanta Hoblidhar (personal best 10.19) will have to improve on the national record of 10.18 seconds (set by Animesh last year) to 10.16.

AFI's high standards for the men's 100m is justified too as the gold medal came at 9.97 in the 2022 Asiad while the last medal position came at 10.11.

The standard is set high for men's 4x100m relay too at a stiff 38.81 seconds with the likes of  Amlan Borgohain and Gurindervir Singh adding much depth to the line-up. The mentioned quartet set the Indian record at 38.69 last April.

For the rest of the event, the qualifying standards are set at a relatively comfortable mark, including men's javelin throw at 77.87 metre while several Indians crossed the 80m mark last season. No qualification standards were set for the long-distance events such as marathon and race walk and qualification will be decided by the selectors owing to the challenging heat of the Indian summer. 

At least two track and field athletes can qualify for each individual event, subject to confirmation from AFI's selection committee, which is chaired by Sumariwalla and has long jump legend Anju Bobby George among its members. 

Revealing the qualifying standards in a press conference in New Delhi, AFI spokesperson Sumariwalla firmly stated that no excess baggage will be taken for the Asiad despite the cap of allowing the top six (as per the sports ministry) as they will be focusing on athletes with medal opportunities; owing to the 29-medal haul, including six gold, at the 2022 Hangzhou.

"We have justified to them (sports ministry) why we are doing better than sixth place," said Sumariwalla. "Middle and long distance qualifying we have to see as here it will be very hot. They have to qualify in this heat and then they have to go there (Japan) and run. So there are certain things which will be in the purview of the selection committee. We don't have to take or give as we have one thing: India first. We need maximum medals." 

Asian Games track and field qualification standards: Men: 100m:10.16s, 200m: 20.88s, 400m: 45.97s, 800m: 1:48.80s, 1500m: 3:42.00s, 5000m: 13:39.18s, 10000m: 29:00.00s, 3000m Steeple Chase: 8:36.57s, 110m Hurdles: 13.63s, 400m Hurdles: 49.41s; Long Jump: 7.91m, Triple Jump: 16.28m, High Jump: 2.19m, Pole Vault: 5.45m, Shot Put: 19.41m, Discus Throw: 60.13m, Hammer Throw: 69.12m, Javelin Throw: 77.87m, Decathlon: 7250 points, Marathon: 2:15:04.00, 4×100m Relay: 38.81s, 4×400m Relay: 3:04.23s, 4×400m Mixed Relay: 3:26.81s.

Women: 100m: 11.54s, 200m: 23.70s, 400m: 53.72s, 800m: 2:05.21s, 1500m: 4:19.45s, 5000m: 15:36.58s, 10000m: 33:50.00s, 3000m Steeple Chase: 9:47.53s, 100m Hurdles: 13.34s, 400m Hurdles: 57.21s, Long Jump: 6.48m, Triple Jump: 13.34m, High Jump: 1.80m, Pole Vault: 4.10m, Shot Put: 16.25m, Discus Throw: 55.48m, Hammer Throw: 61.72m, Javelin Throw: 57.62m, Heptathlon: 5605 points, Marathon: 2:31:52.00, 4×100m Relay: 45.24s, 4×400m Relay: 3:31.23s, 4×400m Mixed Relay: 3:26.81s.