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Indian GP: cracker of a contest on the cards

Rayan Rozario

Coimbatore: It was baking hot in the season’s opener at Kochi last week. It well reflected on the dried up performances of the athletes. Thankfully, the weather is kinder here. And, that’s going to play a huge role as the top stars get ready to scorch the fast synthetic surface in the second leg of the Park Institutions Indian Grand Prix at the Nehru Stadium here on Friday.

“The weather is pleasant and the athletes are very pleased. It’s a big plus, and obviously you can expect some top notch performances here,” said national coach Bahadur Singh.

Throwers may excel

He said each one of them would be pretty serious as it is a build up competition for the big meets to come. “I expect the throwers to come good. That does not mean I have written off the others. I am confident they will do a decent job as well,” he added.

In a championship so loaded with stars, the notable absentees would be long jumpers Anju George and Mayookha Johny, middle distance runner Sinimole Paulose, triple jump’s Asian champion Renjith Maheswary and shot putter Om Prakash.

“Om Prakash will be taking part in the Doha Super GP the same day. It is an important meet for him. Also, one should not miss a super GP,” said Bahadur.

With heavyweights Krishna Poonia, Seema Antil and Harwant Kaur packing the field, a cracker of a contest is on the cards in women’s discus. “It’s going to be tough this time around,” said Poonia, who won in Kochi with a 57.74m effort. “I am just going to concentrate on my throws and possibly go for a 59-60m mark,” she added.

Binu’s comeback

K.M. Binu, 400m National record holder, is also making a comeback after a long break. “It’s going to be my first meet of the season. I am in good shape and I expect some good timing here.”

Bibin Mathew, who is riding high on confidence after his gold-winning show in Kochi, is expected to give Binu a run for his money. “I know he is equally fit but that’s good for me as well to do better,” said Binu.

Mandeep Kaur and Chitra K. Soman in the 400m, and long distance runners Surinder Singh, who bettered a 32-year-old National record last year, along with his female counterpart Preeja Sreedharan are all eagerly awaiting to put up a decent show.

In the absence of triple jump here, Kerala’s M.A. Prajusha will be keenly watched in the women’s long jump.

Along with the Indian GP, which will be a four-hour show from 4.30 p.m, the Tamil Nadu State championship will also be inaugurated on Friday. The men’s and women’s 1500m will be the only events of the State meet.

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