Amarjeet sets new record

Madurai, June 16 (UNI) Giving his career best performance, triple jumper Amarjeet Singh (Jharkhand) set up a new meet record with a jump of 16.67 metres at the Velammal 48th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship 2008 here.

Amarjeet surpassed the record held by Ranjith M of Kerala (16.50 metres) last night. However, it was not a qualifying record for the Beijing Olympics.

Ranjith finished second with 16.21 metres while Bibu Mathew of Kerala took the third place with 15.90 metres.

The disappointing factor is that Ranjith is one of the seven qualifiers for the Beijing Olympics.

Despite intensive training in the United States, his poor form is causing concern to the Athletic Federation of India as well as the Indian Olympic Association.

India's hope of getting a medal in Men's High Jump was shattered, as star Indian athlete Hari Shankar Roy of Jharkhand, who is holding both the National records (2.25 metres) and meet record (2.22 metres) did not qualify.

Following are the final results of other events.

Women's Hammer Throw: Vipin Kumari (Delhi) 52.12 metres Archana Bara (Bihar) 49.66 metres Sukanya Mishra (Uttar Pradesh) 48.09 metres Women's Pole Vault: V S Surekha (Tamil Nadu) 3.70 metres Jisha R (Kerala) 3.00 metres Remya R (Kerala) 2.60 metres Men's High Jump: Prince Jose (Kerala) 2.05 metres (Via Tie) B Elankumaran (Tamilnadu) 2.05 metres Benadict Starli (Tamil Nadu) 2.05 metres MORE UNI GSM GM RAR BD1145