Champions at the 20th Asian athletics championships (AAC) will earn automatic qualification for the Moscow world athletics championships (August 2013).
Athletics Federation of India president Adille Sumariwala confirmed on Friday, “winners will straightaway make the cut for Moscow, whether they make the A or B qualification mark.” He said 14 winners from the 19th AAC 2011 at Kobe, Japan, are among confirmed participants for the event at the Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune.
The International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF), the governing body for athletics, stipulates ‘A’ grade qualifying standards for men and women.
According to a notification by the IAAF council, athletes emerging as ‘area champions’ in individual events will be considered as having gained ‘A’ standard, leading to automatic qualification.
Indian women’s long jump champion at Kobe, Mayookha Johny, is one of the elite athletes in the fray. Qatar high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim, is another name worth tracking at AAC 2013, following a phenomenal 2.4m leap at the Diamond League last month.
A total of 578 athletes from 43 nations will vie for honours in the July 3-7 championships.
