Poovamma Raju enters final in 400m in World Youth Athletics

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) India's M Poovamma Raju ran her personal best of 55.15 sec to enter the finals of the Girls' 400m race in the IAAF World Youth Athletics Championship at Ostrava in Czech Republic today.

Poovamma, whose earlier best was 55.22 sec, finished third in the semi-final heat, number two behind Ukraine's Baraley Yuliya (54.96s) and Canada's Geiger Natalie (55.00s). The final will be held tomorrow.

The Karnataka girl had earlier finished third in the qualification heat yesterday with a timing of 55.37 sec to enter the semi-finals, according to information received here.

Yesterday, all the Indians failed miserably in their respective events. Ajay Pal Singh (Boys' shot put), Virender Kumar (Boys' javelin throw), Mahendra Sahil (Boys' 800m) and Mathew Neethu (Girls' triple jump) were eliminated in the qualification round.

UNI