Eldhose Paul, Annu Rani clinch silver medals in European meets

Mumbai: Indian athletes continued to excel in international meets in Europe in their quest for Olympic qualification marks as promising triple jumper Eldhose Paul bagged a silver medal in Greece while woman javelin thrower Annu Rani won silver in Germany on Sunday.

Keralite Eldhose cleared 16.35m at the Venizelia-Chania International Meeting, a World Athletics Continental Tour - Bronze level competition, held at Chania, Crete.

Eldhose finished behind Turkey's Necati Er, who topped the standings with a best jump of 16.85m. Greek star Dimitrios Tsiamis took the bronze medal with a best effort of 16.25m.

Annu Rani, another TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) athlete like Eldhose, finished second at the Internationales Pfingstsportfest Rehlingen 2024 in Berlin.

Annu, the Asian Games gold medallist, produced a best throw of 56.07m which she achieved on her first attempt. She then had efforts of 53.54, 52.96 and 49.93 in her next three efforts. She fouled her next throw before ending the competition with a 54.01-metre effort.

Sara Kolak of Croatia won the gold medal with a 58.51m throw, achieved on her first turn. Christin Hussong of Germany won the bronze medal (55.94m).