Christ, Mercy colleges emerge champions at Calicut University Athletics meet

Thenjipallam: The Christ College, Irinjalakuda, heaped up medals in an incredible leap on the final day of the Calicut University Athletics, topping with 90 points and retaining the championship in men's events. The Mercy College, Palakkad, ended up with 62 points and remained champions in the women's colleges segment.

In men's athletic section Christ College stood first and in women's section bagged the second position with an easy victory against the counterpart Sreekrishna College.

Christ College had faced a tough challenge from the Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur, but won with a 20-point lead. The Mercy College won by a lead of just three points over Christ College.

For the Christ College, this was the fifth straight win while Mercy had a second straight one.

The Christ College had faced loss of supremacy as it slipped in monopoly events, but made a stunning comeback at the Calicut University Stadium on Wednesday, when they won 15 of the 18 finals held. They reached the first place in 10 items, and went on to win with a 20-point lead, after trailing Sree Krishna by 7 points on Tuesday.

Girls from Christ also were in full glory and it looked like the college would create history by winning championship in both segments. However, Mercy girls kept the crown when their athletes reaped gold in heptathlon and twin medals in 200 metres.

6 records set

The last day of the meet saw six records being set. Sanal Scariah of Christ College smashed a 37-year-old record in triple jump. N V Hadad from Christ created his own record in 100 metre hurdles.

Jikku Joseph improved his own record in javelin throw.

In the 4-400 metre relay, Chelannur Sree Narayana College set a record and topped the women's segment, while Christ College led the men's section with a record. Thomson Paulose from Sree Krishna created his own record in 800 metres.

Anees and Angel are stars.

The stars in the golden jubilee year of the Calicut University Athletics meet are Muhammad Anees and Angel P Devasia. Anees, of Guruvayur Sree Krishna College, broke the existing inter-university record in men's long jump. Angel, from Christ College, trashed a 38-year-old meet record in women's high jump.

Two Christ stars won the steeple chase, a first in the meet this year – Bibin George and N Namita.

Angel P Devasya won the much coveted best athlete in the high jump category, Sanal Skyla in triple jump, and Namitha M in steeplechase.

Apart from these, Christ college has an overall record in 4 × 400 metres relay. Jikku Joseph progressed his record in Javelin Throw with a record from 62 to 67.

''Its been a very positive year for me to be select as the best athlete for Christ College. I feel pretty amazing and it is all because of the prayers and their positive approach,'' said Angel P Devasya.

About 54,000 students participated in Inter College competition.