Vikas Gowda, Ranjith Maheswari flop in World Athletics

Osaka, Aug 26 (UNI) National record holder Vikas Gowda failed to qualify for final round in discus in the 11th World Athletics Championship here today.

Gowda could only clear 61.22m, way below his personal best of 64.96m, to finish ninth in Group A qualification round.

Had he come up with his best he would have easily qualified, as the last qualifier in his group cleared 62.68m. Those who cleared qualification standard of 64.50m or at least best 12 qualified for the final round.

Gerd Kanter of Estonia was the best in qualification with 67.45m.

Earlier yesterday, Ranjith Maheswary finished 13th in Group A qualification round with a jump of 16.38m which was also below his personal best of 17.04m.

Maheswary cleared 16.33, 16.37, 16.38 in his three jumps. He would also have qualified for the final round had he cleared his best as the last qualifier jumped 16.69m.

Shot putter Navpreet Singh, who won gold in Asian Athletics Championship in Jordan last month, had also failed to qualify for the final round, finishing a disappointing 21st in the qualification round with a throw of 19.35m which was way below his personal best of 19.93m.

Joseph Abraham was the only Indian to have advanced in the next round. He booked a berth for the semi-finals in the 400m hurdles despite finishing fifth in the heat yesterday.

Joseph clocked 49.64 sec in heat number five to finish fifth but advanced into the next stage. First four of each of the five heats plus four fastest times qualified for the semi-finals.

Thirteen Indians, including women's long jumper Anju Bobby George, are taking part in the Championship.

UNI