Asian Games: Jinson, women's relay team clinch gold

Jakarta: Jinson Johnson made up for the disappointment of suffering a shock defeat in 800m at the hands of teammate Manjit Singh as he won the 1,500m gold, while the Indian women’s relay team defended the 4x400m title at the Asian Games here on Thursday. The Indian men won a silver in 4x400m relay even as P U Chitra and Seema Punia bagged a bronze each as India ended up with 7 gold, 10 silver and 2 bronze medals from athletics - a big improvement from the tally of 2 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze in the last edition at Incheon.

National record holder Jinson clocked 3:44:72 min to reign supreme at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Amir Moradi of Iran took the silver with a personal best of 3:45.62, while Qatar’s Mohammed Tiouali (3.45.88 min) won the bronze. Manjit ended up fourth with a time of 3:46.57.

“I did not exert much in the heats and preserved my energy for the final. I sprinted in the last 80m,” said a delighted Jinson.

Gold and silver in relay

The Indian quartet of Hima Das, M R Poovamma, Sarita Gayakwad and V K Vismaya won the 4x400m relay gold ahead of Bahrain. Hima gave India a good start and the lead was extended by Poovamma and Saritaben. Vismaya, who was picked ahead of Jisna Mathew after she won the trials here last week, held off a strong challenge to make sure India retained the gold with a time of 3:28.72.

Mohammed Anas ran a splendid third lap as India finished behind Qatar in 4x400m men's relay as curtains came down on athletics events. The Indian team consisting of Kunhu Mohammed, Dharun Ayyasamy, Anas and Arokia Rajiv timed 3:01.85 min. Qatar triumphed with an Asian record of 3:00.56 min. Japan (3:01.94 min) took the third spot.

Earlier, Keralite Chitra won a bronze medal in women’s 1500m. The 23-year-old clocked 4:12.56 seconds to finish behind Bahrain’s Kalkidan Befkadu (4:07.83:01.858) and Tigist Belay (4:09.12).

Chitra, who had won the gold at the last Asian Championships, was overlooked for the World Championships last year triggering a row.

Defending champion Seema Punia could win only a bronze in discus throw with an effort of 62.26m. China’s Yang Chen (65.12m) won the gold, while compatriot Bin Feng (64.12m) took the silver.