Sports India

PUNE: Six Indians finished atop the podium at the Asian Grand Prix in Pune on Friday, but none shone brighter than teenager Pinki Parmanik. The 19-year-old West Bengal girl completed a hat-trick in the 800 metres and then took her second title of the day in the 400 metres after winning the silver at Bangkok and the gold at Bangalore. She finished with five gold and a silver in the three legs of the Asian Grand Prix.

Long-jumper Maha Singh also achieved a hat-trick, producing a season best of 7.73 metres - good enough to quell a strong challenge from compatriot Shiv Shankar Yadav. The men’s javelin also saw a one-two finish as Anil Singh beat Om Narayan. Roy Shankar Hari (high jump) and Sunil Kumar (3,000 m) completed India’s gold rush on Friday.

But it was the women’s long jump that got the crowd on their feet. World No. 6 Anju Bobby George’s strapped-up right heel did not allow her to take off well and she produced a best of 6.46 in her first attempt - a distance good enough only for the silver. Kazakhstan’s Olga Rypakova completed her hat-trick at the Asian GP leaping to 6.61 metres.

“My heel was hurting even during my trial jump,” Anju said later. Anju only had a provisional lead, when she produced best jump in the first round and Olga who followed the Indian stole the initiative with 6.49 metres.

In the second round Anju demanded more support from her fans, clapping over her head and pumping herself up. But she could manage only 6.39. Olga replied with 6.61 metres and from then on it was an uphill task for the Indian start. Anju also had her a strapping around her left knee to keep in check an old injury.

Her drooping spirit was evident as she signaled to husband-cum-coach Robert Bobby George that she was unable to take off well and leaped 6.38 in third attempt, before being red-flagged in the next. By now it was evident that Anju was jumping with pain and after her fifth attempt, she sat down and held her ankle. She gestured to her Bobby George that she was done and gave the last round a skip.