Jakarta: The unheralded Manjit Singh pulled off a stunning win in men’s 800m while Jinson Johnson and the mixed relay team won silver medals to cap another fruitful day for the Indian athletics contingent at the Asian Games here on Tuesday.
Manjit won the gold pushing favourite and national record holder Jinson to second spot at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium.
Manjit took the gold with a late burst and clocked personal best 1:46.15min while Jinson timed 1:46.35min. Qatar’s Abdalla Abubaker took the bronze in 1:46.38min.
“I could run a fine race. The weather was pleasant and I could really push myself in the last 100m,” said the 28-year-old after his upset win.
“I had prepared well and I wasn’t surprised that I could beat Jinson. My strategy was to save energy and go flat out in the last 100m and it worked,” said Manjit, the son of a middle class farmer, from Haryana.
A medal dedicated to Kerala
Jinson, hailing from Chakkittapara in Kozhikode, was happy to have picked up a silver medal. “It was a good race and I am happy that I could win silver. Delighted that Manjit won and made it a 1-2 for India,” Jinson said.
Jinson dedicated his medal to all those who helped the flood-affected in Kerala.
India lodges protest after mixed relay silver
The Indian quartet of Muhammed Anas, M R Poovamma, Hima Das and Arokia Rajiv finished second behind Bahrain in the 4x400m mixed relay making its debut at the Games. Bahrain clinched the gold with a time of 3:11.89 min, while the Indians clocked 3:15.71min. Kazakhstan took the third spot in 3:19.52min. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has lodged a protest against Bahrain for causing obstruction to Hima Das during the run. The protest has been admitted by the jury of appeals which will give a ruling at 8.30am IST on Wednesday.
Anas gave India the perfect start, but Poovamma could not sustain it. Salwa Eid Nasser made all the difference as she handed Bahrain clear advantage going into the final baton change. Rajiv’s efforts were not enough to prevent Bahrain from bagging the top honours. In hindsight India could have fielded Anas to anchor the race.
The silver in mixed relay was also India's 50th in this edition (9 gold, 19 silver and 22 bronze). India have so far won three gold and eight silver medals in athletics alone.
Dutee in 200m final, Hima disqualified
Dutee Chand, who won a silver in women’s 100m dash, qualified for the 200m final even as teammate Hima was disqualified for a foul start.
Dutee topped the first semifinal with a time of 23 seconds ahead of Bahrain’s Edidiong Odiong (23.01s).
Hima, competing in the second semifinal, jumped the gun and was disqualified.
India’s Anu Rani could end up only sixth in women’s javelin throw with an effort of 53.93m. China’s Liu Shiying won the gold with a Games record of 66.09m.
