Focus on middle-distance runners in Indian GP

For the first time in many years, in the season-opening outdoor competition.

For the first time in many years, in the season-opening outdoor competition — the Indian Grand Prix to be held on Thursday in Patiala — the focus will be on the country’s middle-distance runners who did the nation proud in the just-concluded Asian Indoor championships by grabbing three berths for the Valencia world indoor championships in March.

Middle-distance runner Sinimol Paulouse, Chatholi Hamza and Surendera Singh — who will be heading to Spain for the world meet in the first week of March — will be the star attractions of the one-day competition which is part of the build-up for the tough season ahead. Though Sinimol and Hamza are very close to Beijing qualifying marks in 800m and 1500m, Surendera is yet to show his mettle in the 5,000m or the 10,000m event.

Going by the performance of the three runners in the Asian indoors, outstanding results are expected in the Patiala meet. Sinimol had recently clocked 2:03.43 in 800m at the Doha indoors. Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is hoping for a better result tomorrow in the outdoor meet. “She should be able to achieve the Beijing mark of 2:1.30 seconds (B standard),” said AFI secretary Lalit Bhanot.

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Also, if Hamza’s recent performance in Doha is any indication of his performance, he too should be looking forward to crack 3:39 seconds (B-standard).

Perhaps that could be the reasons why AFI is hoping for some exciting contests in the both men’s and women’s 800m and 1500m.

Quarter-milers, particularly in the women’s group, will also be closely scrutinised. Thecountry’s top women quarter-milers, including national record holder Manjeet Kaur, have been a little rusty lately. Any time below 53 seconds for the top four runners in the women’s 400m should be a good sign for the future of the national relay squad.

But the top 400m runners in the men’s division need more polishing to come close to a decent time of 46 seconds. The vast majority, including Aboo Backer and Bibin Mathew, have been clocking over 47 seconds.

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India’s ace long jumper Anju Bobby George has decided to skip the competition. She would, however, be testing her skills in Bhopal next week.

In the throwing event, a keen contest is on the cards as seasoned thrower Neelam J Singh, who recently completed her two-year ban, confirmed her participation, according to AFI.

Melbourne silver medallists Seema Antil and Harwant Kaur are other top throwers in the fray.