Indian Athletics Thread ...

[Mugundan]

Yes, it is a surprise to see Chopra in the short-list. After having said that, it won't be a surprise if he is chosen Athlete of the Year!

[Saffron Lenin]

India set to bid for hosting 2029 World Athletics Championships

“Yes, we are interested in bidding for the 2029 World Athletics Championships,” AFI senior Vice President Anju Bobby George told PTI, on the sidelines on the sidelines of the AFI Annual General Body meeting.

“India has expressed interest to host the 2036 Olympics and 2030 Youth Olympics. So, it will be very good if we can host the 2029 World Athletics Championships,” said the legendary long jumper.

https://www.firstpost.com/sports/india- ... 61642.html

[Mugundan]

Jyothi Yarraji (60mH) and Harmilan Bains (1500m) won gold on the opening day of the Asian Indoor championships at Teheran.
The results link:
https://events.iranathletics.ir/
Afternoon session will be men's events when we might be able to get live-streaming.
Women's events forbidden for viewing. Male coaches also not allowed to attend to their trainees during women only morning session!

[sameerph]

Women's events forbidden for viewing. Male coaches also not allowed to attend to their trainees during women only morning session!

This is crazy. Why do Asian Athletics Federation allow them to host the events in that case ?

[prasen9]

Money? Votes?

[prasen9]

Yes, it is a surprise to see Chopra in the short-list. After having said that, it won't be a surprise if he is chosen Athlete of the Year!

Completing the story. Here are the results:

World Athletes of the Year for 2023

Women’s track: Faith Kipyegon, KEN, 1500m/mile/5000m
Women’s field: Yulimar Rojas, VEN, triple jump
Women’s out of stadia: Tigist Assefa, ETH, marathon
Men’s track: Noah Lyles, USA, 100m/200m
Men’s field: Mondo Duplantis, SWE, pole vault
Men’s out of stadia: Kelvin Kiptum, KEN, marathon

[Mugundan]

WA made a terrible mess of the awards last year. They did not announce even that there would be so many awards instead of the Male Athlete and Female Athlete of the Year that are normally declared on the stage at the Gala after a world-wide voting among fans, specialists and WA members (finally a panel choses the awardees). As in the past the voting was for one "male athlete of the year" and one "female athlete of the year". Many athletes made their views known after the gala night. The "please all" policy may not last long. If it does the awards would lose much of their importance. They can even start a "best athlete of the third world" award and then add "the most consistent male athlete" and "female athlete" ! The possibilities could be endless.

[prasen9]

I would take out the out-of-stadia and just have 4 - one for track and one for field x 2.

[Mugundan]

Jeswin Aldrin finishes 13th (out of 16) in the long jump final at the World Indoors with 7.69m. That came on his opening jump. Next two were fouls (not unexpectedly). He had a season best of 7.83m indoors and is the national record holder outdoors (8.42m) and indoors (7.97m).
Later tonight (early Sunday for India) Praveen Chithravel would be figuring in the triple jump final. India has just two entries in these championships (for inexplicable reasons!)

[Kumar]

I would take out the out-of-stadia and just have 4 - one for track and one for field x 2.

Are not track athletes at a bigger advantage when it is combined as they have lot more events while field athletes typically have only one or two events to showcase their talent. Not researching, but would not be surprised if majority of past winners were from track

[prasen9]

Jeswin Aldrin finishes 13th (out of 16) in the long jump final at the World Indoors with 7.69m. That came on his opening jump. Next two were fouls (not unexpectedly). He had a season best of 7.83m indoors and is the national record holder outdoors (8.42m) and indoors (7.97m).
Later tonight (early Sunday for India) Praveen Chithravel would be figuring in the triple jump final. India has just two entries in these championships (for inexplicable reasons!)

What is the point in making one jump and then fouling out?

[arjun2761]

A lot of throwers do a foul as soon as they realize that they had a poor throw so that they do not have a sequence of few poor throws. I’m not sure that the jumpers can do that since they have to make the decision prior to their jump. Intentional fouling probably Indicates that they are not confident of doing a good job, and so they may prefer to potentially foul rather than have a sequence of poor jumps.

[sameerph]

19 year old Parvej Khan is making some news in US as Freshman with University of Florida. He will be the first ever Indian track athlete to compete at an NCAA championship when he starts the mile race at the NCAA Indoor championships in Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday. He twice beat national record in mile last month-

This is nice article on him-

From Mewat in Haryana to Gainesville in Florida, Parvej Khan’s journey to the NCAA finals

[arjun2761]

Love this story. This is an area where he can certainly be among the best in Asia. Good luck to Parvej!

[prasen9]

This story and that of a few other similar ones like that of Yashasvi Jaiswal, etc. shows what is different now than before. It seems like people, at least kids believe that they can make a name and living for themselves via sports these days and many are moving to the metros where coaching is possible, etc. to at least give it a shot. Many possibly do not make it but talent like this guy's that would may be not have been discovered at the level it has been has now a path to being discovered. So, hopefully, we will see a few more medals, etc. reaping the benefits of a huge population.