Maha, Pinki post hat-trick, Anju disappoints

Pune, May 27 (UNI) Ace Indian long jumper Anju Bobby George failed to avenge her defeat against Olga Rypokova of Kazakhstan in the final leg of the Asian Grand Prix at the Baburao Sanas stadium here.

World number four Anju, not fully recovered from a sore heel suffered in the Doha Super Grand Prix on May 12, made the bold effort with a strapped right heel but could only clear 6.48 meters to win the silver. Olga leapt 6.61 meters to pocket the gold, while Torres Marestella of Phillipines picked up the bronze.

However, it was a different story for 19-year-old Pinki Pinki Paramanik who overcame discomforting stomach pain to capture the gold in women's 800 meters race clocking 2:03:23. Compatriot Shanti Sunder Rajan clocked 2:04:44 to pocket the silver, while Paulose Sinimol finished in a time of 2:05:28 to take the bronze and completed a clean sweep for India.

The tall and athletically-built Maha Singh then added another gold winning men's long jump with a leap of 7.73 meters, his season's best effort. Maha pushed back the efforts of compatriot Shiv Shankar Yadav and Dagnil Henry of Phillipines who were to rest content with the silver and the bronze.

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