The 4x400m relay women’s quartet, who bagged the gold at the Asian athletics championship here with a stunning effort, credited the result to an all-round performance. “I ran my best race today and all others gave their best performances. Our aim was to win the gold,” said M.R. Poovamma.
India coach N. Ramesh was a relieved man. Three members of the relay team post their 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medal had tested positive for a banned substance and the final composition for Sunday’s final was shrouded in controversy after the return of the dope-tainted athletes who completed their ban earlier this week.
“With this gold, the humiliation I faced for two years is over. You can only deliver by producing results and in last two years I have barely gone home. I have been working hard on the team and been with them. This gold means a lot to me,” said Ramesh.
Maheshwary promises a gold in next edition
It was only the second time in the history of the competition that India clinched two medals in the men’s triple jump. Double Olympian Renjith Maheshwary’s leap of 16.76 metre earned him the silver while his practice partner Arpinder Singh registered 16.58m to take the bronze.
However, the duo were saddened on missing the top prize. “It is my promise to the nation that at the next Asian championships we will get the gold,” Maheshwary said.
The Tamil Nadu triple jumper said that he will resume training from Monday for the world championships.
“I will look to clear the 17m mark in Moscow. Winning a medal is a God’s gift and I will give my best effort there.”