Anju finishes third in Bayer-Meet in Germany

New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) Olympian Anju Bobby George finished third in the women's long jump event of the Bayer-Meeting in Leverkusen (Germany) clearing 6.51m, well below her season's best of 6.65m.

According to information received here today, Anju, who has just managed to qualify for the World Championship to be held in Osaka (Japan) from August 25 to September 2, started poorly clearing 6.48m and 6.39m in her first two attempts.

She cleared 6.51m in the third attempt and that turned out to be her best as he fouled next two jumps before finishing with an effort of 6.48m in the last jump.

Interestingly, Naide Gomes of Portugal, who won the gold, cleared 6.51m in her first jump while her best of 6.83m came in the second attempt.

Bianca Kappler of German finished second with 6.73m which she achieved in her fifth effort.

Now, it will be an uphill task for Anju to reach the final in the World Championship in Osaka. The Chennai-based jumper had won Bronze in the Paris World Championship in 2003 with a 6.70m jump.

Final result: Naide Gomes: 6.83m; Bianca Kappler: 6.73m; Anju George: 6.51 m UNI