High jumper Pooja set a new record at the recent National Games.
| Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR
With the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) making it mandatory for athletes to participate in at least one national competition in the coming days to be eligible for the Federation Cup, the second Indian Open athletics meet here on Saturday will see some big names in action.
While 200m national record holder Amlan Borgohain has entered in both the 100m and 200m, national champion Yashas Palaksha will be participating in the 400m hurdles, hoping to make the AFI qualifying mark of 49.19 seconds for the Asian Championships. It won’t be easy, however, given his personal best is 49.37s. Also competing in his first event of the season will be shot-putter Sourabh Vij at the Shree Ambubhai Purani Sports Complex here.
Among the women, junior national high jump champion Pooja of Haryana, who set a new National Games record with an effort of 1.84m recently to clear the AFI’s Asian Championships qualifying mark, will be in action while Nithya Ramraj, the second fastest Indian woman after Jyothi Yarraji in the 100m hurdles, has also confirmed participation.
Among other events, competition will be held in middle distance running (800-5000m), jumps and throws.
Published – April 04, 2025 08:03 pm IST
