Manjit qualifies for finals, Gowda fails

Melbourne, Mar 20 (UNI) Quarter-miler Manjit Kaur qualified for the 400m finals while Vikas Gowda, despite producing his season-best throw, failed to finish on podium in shot put on what turned out to be a lackluster day for Indian athletes at the Commonwealth Games here today.

In men and women 20km walks, the Indians finished down the leaderboard while in women 1500m, Orchatteri Jaisha finished 14th and failed to qualify for the next round.

Twenty four-year-old Manjit Kaur qualified for the final by virtue of being fastest among the losers in the semis with a timing of 52.31s.

The Punjab Police inspector had won gold in Asian Track and Field in Incheon clocking 51.50 last year, whereas her personal best is 51.05s.

England's Christine Ohuruogu with a time of 50.87s was the leader, followed by Bahamas's Tonique Willams (50.97s) and Novlene Willams of Jamaica (51.03s).

The final will feature eight runners, apart from Manjit Kaur other fastest loser to qualify is Rosemary Hayward of Australia who had a time of 52.47s.

Meanwhile in shot put, India's Vikas Gowda finished fifth with a throw of 18.46m. Janus Roberts (South Africa) won the gold with a throw of 19.76m which he achieved in his third attempt.

Jamaica's Dorian Scott (19.75m) and Aussie Scott martin (19.48m) won the silver and the bronze respectively.

The Maryland (US)-based Vikas, son of former Indian coach Shive Gowda, who qualified for the final of the shot put event with a season best throw of 18.37m, today had a best throw of 18.46m which came off in his third attempt and fetched him fifth place.

He fouled the first attempt, then had throws of 18.25m, 18.46m and then missed the fourth before completing his series with 18.41m and 18.39m.

In women's 20km walk, India's Deepmala Devi clocked season's best of 1:41.54 but that was enough only for the sixth place. The Indian's personal best is 1:39.29.

Australia made clean sweep in the event with Jane Saville, Natelie Saville and Cheryl Webb winning gold, silver and bronze.

Jane created a Games record by clocking 1:32.46. Natelie clocked season's best of 1:33:33 while Webb timed 1:36:03.

In men's 20km walk, India's P Jalan was placed fifth with a time of 1:30:43. Jalan's personal best is 1:27:29 while season best is 1:30:17. Like in women's event, Australians also made a clean sweep in men's 20km walk. Nathan Deakes won the gold timing 1:19:55, followed by fellow countryman Adams (1:21:38) and Jared Tallent (1:23:32).

In women's 1500m, Orchatteri Jaisha clocked 4:15.58 and could not make it to the next round as she was placed 14th overall after the heats. First four in each heat and the next four fastest advanced to the next round.

Jaisha's personal best is 4:15.50 which happens to be her season's best also.

In Decathlon, Jora Singh was lying ninth in the field of 11 athletes at the end of the five events.

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