Anju hopes to qualify for World Athletic Championship

Pune, Jun 28 (UNI) Indian ace long jumper Anju Bobby George has one more opportunity to excel in the two day National Combined and Jump competition, which got underway at the Baburao Sanas sports complex here today.

''I will certainly try to make amends and will go all out in the Jumps event tomorrow provided the rains do not hamper the competition to clear the qualifying mark of 6.60 meters,'' a confident Anju told UNI here today.

''I have put back the disappointment of Guwahati and Pune as well and will try to fulfill the expectation of the countrymen,'' she said.

Answering a query, the Indian ace pointed out that she is looking forward to the European circuit where long jump is included to come out good for the Osaka championship. ''I will be talking to my manager shortly to plan out the programme,'' she said.

Anju who looked up to the third leg of the Asian Athletic Grand Prix meet, which was held at Pune yesterday, however failed to produce her best form in her bid to qualify for the World Athletic Championship to be held in Osaka - Japan in the last week of August.

It was rather unfortunate that the inclement weather and intermittent rains hampered her concentration which resulted in a mediocre 6.21 meters performance to win the gold. The Indian ace has to clear 6.60 meters to catch the bus for Osaka - Japan but it was not to be at Pune.

Participating after the Doha Asian Games and fully fit Anju could produce a performance of 6.28 meters at the second leg held at Guwahati on June 23 and bagged the gold.

Not making any excuses Anju said the running and the rhythm was there but did not get the required elevation due to the short run up. Giving credence to the fact Ranjith Maheshwary also could not bring out his best effort after crossing the 17 meters barrier at Guwahati only three days back before coming to Pune.'' I had to perform with one meter short run up which hampered my performance'' he stated here yesterday.

The 30 year old long jumper has a surfeit of success to her credit with the best performance of 6.83 in the Athena Olympic Games in 2004 but could only finish sixth. She won a silver with a leap of 6.75 in the World Athletics Final at Monaco in 2005. She was placed sixth in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games with a performance of 6.54 and was placed second in the Doha Asian Games held in December 2006 clearing 6.52 meters.

UNI