National record holder Tejas Shirse kept his composure to win the men\u2019s 110m hurdles title at the National inter-State athletics championships at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.<\/p>\n
Shirse, who achieved the National mark of 13.27 at the Indian Athletics Series in Ludhiana less than two weeks ago, had qualified for the Asian Games by clocking 13.43 in the heats a day before. In the final, which got delayed by 20 minutes due to three false starts, he maintained his focus to time 13.61 and comfortably claim the gold medal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe track was new, there was some rain. The blocks were slipping resulting in false starts. Thankfully, I didn\u2019t have problems. At the same meet during the last Asiad selection, my parents and grandmother were present in the stands. I couldn\u2019t qualify and it was difficult to see them disappointed,\u201d said Shirse.<\/p>\n
Praveen Chithravel breached the Asian Games qualifying standard and won the gold by jumping to 16.92m in his first attempt in men\u2019s triple jump. \u201cMy goal was to qualify. I\u2019m focusing on the process. I\u2019ll compete in Europe before going to the Commonwealth Games and then the Asian Games,\u201d said Chithravel.<\/p>\n
Altogether six triple jumpers, including third and fourth-place finishers Selva Prabhu and Abdulla Aboobacker respectively, three in women\u2019s discus throw and two in men\u2019s hammer throw, including champion Damneet Singh (69.72m), achieved qualifying marks. However, only two athletes in each event will be picked for the continental showpiece.<\/p>\n
Vithya Ramraj clocked 56.69 in women\u2019s 400m hurdles heats to make the cut.<\/p>\n
The results (finals): Men: 110m hurdles (Asiad Q mark 13.63s):<\/b> 1. Tejas Shirse (Mah) 13.61, 2. Manav R. (TN) 13.66, 3. Krishik M. (Kar) 13.69; Hammer (Asiad Q mark 69.12m): <\/b>1. Damneet Singh (Pun) 69.72, 2. Praveen Kumar (Raj) 69.58, 3. Ashish Jakhar (Har) 67.71; Triple jump (Asiad Q mark 16.28m): <\/b>1. Praveen Chithravel (TN) 16.92, 2. Karthik U. (Ker) 16.8, 3. Selva Prabhu (TN) 16.79; 4x100m relay (Asiad Q mark 38.81s): <\/b>1. Odisha 39.92, 2. Tamil Nadu 40.02, 3. Maharashtra 40.37.<\/p>\n
Women: Discus (Asian Q mark 55.48m): <\/b>1. Seema (Har) 59.73, 2. Sanya Yadav (Har) 56.05, 3. Nidhi (Har) 55.92; 4x100m relay (Asaid Q mark 45.24s): <\/b>1. Karnataka 44.75, 2. Tamil Nadu 45.07, 3. Maharashtra 46.21; 4x400m mixed relay (Asiad Q mark 3:26.81): <\/b>1. Tamil Nadu 3:23.51, 2. Punjab 3:23.54, 3. Rajasthan 3:23.85; Half-marathon race walk (Asiad Q mark 1:37:20): <\/b>1. Munita Prajapati (UP) 1:45:05, 2. Reshma Patel (UP) 1:45:48, 3. Sejal Singh (Mah) 1:46:31.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n