Anju disappoints, Pinky continues her winning spree

Bangalore, May 22 (UNI) Pinky Pramanik continued her dazzling run to win the first gold for India in 800 mts, while ace leaper Anju B George disappointed with a silver medal finish in the second leg of the Asian Grand Prix 2006 held at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here today.

Running at a handy fourth position in the first lap, Pramanik gradually improved to come up with a fine run in the home stretch to win with a timing of 2M:04.42 secs. The East Coast athlete had won the gold in the same event in the first leg at Bangkok on Thursday last by 2M:07.08 secs.

Shanthi Sundarajan made it 1-2 for India winning the silver with a timing of 2M:04.95 secs, while Zamira Amirova of Uzbekistan took the Bronze clocking 2M:05.85 Secs.

It was a disappointing day for Anju, suffering from a heel injury, as she could only manage 6.35 mts as her best effort, while Bangkok leg winner Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan showed improvement by winning the gold with an effort of 6.39 mts.

Anju, who had a personal best 6.83 mts, began with a jump of 6.23 m in her first attempt and improved to 6.35 m in the third attempt. Thereafter her attempts proved futile as she managed only 6.23 m in the fourth leg, fouled the fifth and leapt just 6.10m in her last attempt.

''I had not taken a jump for last one month due to the injuury and the only consolation for me was that I took all the six jumps.

I was not getting the desired height and I hope I can do better in the third leg at Pune on May 26,'' Anju told reporters after the event.

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