Indian Grand Prix | Asiad gold medallist Arpinder Singh beaten in triple jump

Unnikrishnan did brilliantly to jump 16.69m on his final attempt which was enough to seal the gold medal for him and a spot in the World Championship. Arpinder tried his best in the second attempt but couldn’t go past 16.35m.

The 26-year-old triple jumper, who created a record in the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Lucknow a few days ago by jumping 16.83m to win the gold, would be missing the World Championships scheduled to be held in Doha from September 28. The World Championship’s qualifying standard has been set at 16.95m and the qualifying period would be ending on Friday midnight. 

India’s desperate attempt to qualify in the men’s 4x400m relay also stumbled. Though the Indian team, which competed at the GP to improve its timing, won the race by clocking 3:03.68 but failed to even cross their Asiad record of 3:01.85 from last year. India have now occupied the last and 16th slot for World Championships qualification.

Dutee Chand, who won the 100m dash at the World University Games, failed to better the timing of 11.24 seconds as she could only clock 11.43 seconds. However, she is likely to make it to the World Championships.