The Hindu : Gowda finishes eighth

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 18, 2002

Sport

Sport - Athletics

Gowda finishes eighth

KINGSTON JULY 17. Despite reaching a personal best of 19.30 metres, India's Vikas Gowda could only manage to get the eighth place in shot put on the opening day of the ninth World junior athletic championships here on Tuesday.

The U.S.-based Gowda, competing for his country for the first time, managed a 19.05m in the qualifying rounds to be placed third in his group and then produced an opening putt of 19.30 which put him in eighth place in a competition where the World junior best was bettered.

The 19-year-old Gowda, who had earlier this season competed in the Federation Cup at Chennai — placing seventh at 17.08m with the heavier shot — had joined the Indian squad straight from the U.S.

Edis Elkasevic of Croatia was the winner with a huge throw of 21.47m that constituted a world best with the new 6-kg shot. Sean Shields of the U.S. was second at 20.54 while just four centimetres behind the American came Finland's Mika Vasara. Elkasevic's best came on his last throw.

India's Ranvijay Singh, with an 18.29 in the qualifying round could not progress to the final, placing eighth in his group.

Kenya and Ethiopia took the other gold medals on the opening day of the championships, Hillary Chenonge taking the men's 5000m and Meseret Defar claiming the women's 3000 metres.

The Kenyan-Ethiopian rivalry in distance running was to the fore in the men's 5000 metres. Chenonge kicked from 200 metres out against a stiff opposition from Ethiopians Markos Geneti and Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam.

It was a personal best and championship record of 13:28.30 for the Kenyan, while Genti had the silver in a season best 13:28.83. Gebremariam took the bronze.

Defar had been in the news in the senior circuit this season, finishing third in the Doha Grand Prix.

The Ethiopian kept herself in the leading pack throughout the race and then made her move from 200 metres out. There was none to challenge her as she finished 9:12.61. Morocco's Mariem Al Aoui Selsouli was second in a personal best 9:16.28, while Russian Olesya Syreva claimed the bronze, also in a personal best 9:16.58.

``I still have to compete in the 5000 metres in these championships, so there will be no time for partying tonight,'' said Defar. "I admire Derartu Tulu and Gete Wami mainly. They have done so much for the country. I hope I will continue the excellent tradition of Ethiopian middle and long distance runners'', she added.

The results:

Men: 5000m: 1. Hillary Chenonge (Ken) 13:28.30, 2. Markos Geneti (Eth) 13 28.83, 3. Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam (Eth) 13:29.13.

Shot put: 1. Edis Elkasevic (Cro) 21.47m 2. Sean Shields (U.S.) 20.54, 3. Mika Vasara (Fin) 20.50.

Women: 3000m: 1. Meseret Defar (Eth) 91:12.61, 2. Mariem Al Aoui Selsouli (Mor) 9:16.28, 3. Olesya Syreva (Rus) 9:16.58.

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