The 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi from Friday will be last domestic competition to achieve Glasgow Commonwealth qualification criteria set by Athletics Federation of India
Good weather conditions at this time of the year in Ranchi, venue for the four-day 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition, will be an advantage, says Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in men’s high jump, Tejaswin Shankar.
Shankar, 27, will compete in a gruelling decathlon here in Ranchi, which will be the last domestic competition for aspiring athletes to achieve the qualification standard set by AFI (Athletics Federation of India) for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games starting July 23.
“I’ve been camping here for the last two-day to get used to local weather conditions and surprisingly the weather has been good in the morning and evening,” Shankar told the media on the eve of the Ranchi competition. “Recovery between each of the ten disciplines in decathlon spread over two-day is important to perform at optimum level.”
The Indian contingent had won eight medals, including gold in men’s triple jump through Eldhouse Paul at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Shankar was the winner of bronze in men’s high jump. However, this time Shankar’s focus will be decathlon and not high jump. “I’m all set to achieve my goal here in Ranchi,” says Shankar with an air of confidence.
India’s talented sprinter Animesh Kujur says his main focus during the four-day competition will be 200m. “I’m mentally and physically prepared to give my best here in Ranchi.
Kujur, 22, holds men’s 100m and 200m national records. “The weather conditions are okay in Ranchi and I’ve to perform exceptionally well to board the flight for Glasgow,” says India’s leading sprinter.
Kujur will also be competing in the men’s 100m sprint on the opening day. “The field is competitive but I’m ready,” says the top sprinter.
The cream of Indian track and field will be seen in action at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Stadium (Morabadi). As per guidelines of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, a maximum of 16 and 16 women athletes will be given entry. “The AFI selection panel will take a final call on the strength of the Indian team,” says Lalit Bhanot, Chairman AFI Planning Commission.
Apart from Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ranchi competition will also act as final selection trials for the National U23 Athletics squad. Jay Kumar, talented 400m, will be one to watch in the U23 group.
Medals will be decided in seven events on the opening day (Friday). The men’s 10,000m will be the first event of the four-day meet.
The men’s 100m and 400m first round is scheduled for the morning session on Friday. The semis in both 100m and 400m is scheduled for the evening session.
Medals will also be decided in women’s long jump, discus throw and men’s hammer throw on Friday. The men and women’s 3000m steeplechase final is the last event of the opening day.
EOM
