Navpreet disappoints in shot put, Joseph qualifies in 400m hurdle

Osaka, Aug 25 (UNI) India's campaign in the World Athletics championship began on a mix note with Punjab shot putter Navpreet Singh failing to qualify for the final round while Joseph Abraham booked a berth for the semi-finals in the 400m hurdles despite finishing fifth in the heat here today.

Navpreet, who won gold in the Asian Athletics Championship in Jordan last month, finished a disappointing 21st in the qualification round with a throw of 19.35m which was way below his personal best of 19.93m.

Had he come up with his personal best, Navpreet would have qualified for the final round as the last qualifier recorded 19.92m.

Navpreet, who cleared 19.70m in Jordan, started with a disappointing 19.00m and though he improved to 19.34m and 19.35m in his next two throws, it was never going to be good enough at this level and he fell by the wayside.

The best throw in the qualification was recorded by Rutger Smith of the Netherlands (21.04m). Twelve atheltes have qualified for the final round from a field of 36.

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.

Felix Sanchez of Dominican Republic ran fastest in the heats clocking 48.70 sec to win heat number five.

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

UNI