Aadrash Ram wins bronze in Asian Indoor Athletics Championships

India’s Aadrash Ram Jothi Shankar clinched bronze in men’s high jump with a 2.19m effort at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tianjin. Praveen Chithravel and Yogita finished fourth in triple jump and shot put as Chinese athletes dominated

Tianjin (China): Aadrash Ram Jothi Shankar saved the day for India as he clinched a bronze medal in men’s high jump at the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships that got underway here on Friday.

Shankar produced a best jump of 2.19m to finish third.

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“A fortnight’s camp at Bhubaneswar’s Indoor Stadium played a big role in learning fundamentals of indoor competition,” Shankar said after winning the bronze medal.

In the field of 14 competitors, the Indian jumper gradually moved towards his goal of winning a medal. As the competition progressed, the race for gold was among Shankar and two Japanese athletes.

Shankar cleared 2.15m in his second attempt and 2.19m in his third. He made efforts to improve the colour of his medal but missed all three attempts at 2.23m.

Japan’s Seko Yuto won gold with a height of 2.23m. His compatriot Shinno Tomohiro clinched silver with a height of 2.19m.

India’s Praveen Chithravel, national record holder (outdoor) in men’s triple jump, fell short of a medal. Chithravel finished fourth with a distance of 16.22m, achieved in his sixth and last attempt.

It was a clean sweep for Chinese athletes in the men’s triple jump. Su Wen won gold with a distance of 16.55m, while Jiao Xinping (16.47m) and Ma Yinglong (16.45m) took silver and bronze respectively.

Chinese athletes also dominated the women’s shot put. India’s Yogita finished fourth with a distance of 15.33m, achieved in her second attempt.

Earlier, sprinter Manikanta Hoblidhar, former national record holder in men’s 100m (outdoor), couldn’t progress to the next round as he was disqualified for a false start in the 60m heats.