Animesh qualifies as second fastest for 200m final
Animesh Kujur qualified as the second fastest athlete for the 200m final of the Asian Athletics Championships to be held on the last day of the competition on Saturday and is looking in good shape to finish on the podium.
The 200m national record holder crossed the finish line in 20.81 seconds in the second semifinal behind Japan's Towa Uzawa, who came first with a timing of 20.67 seconds.
Uzawa had competed in 200m at the Paris Olympics last year and is the defending champion here having won the gold with a time of 20.23 seconds. He also has a season best of 20.13 seconds and will be the man to beat on Saturday.
As for Kujur, his timing in the semifinals wasn't near his PB and NR of 20.40 seconds — achieved during the Federation Cup in Kochi early this year — but one needs to understand that he took his foot off the gas during the last part of the race and still came second quite comfortably.
This was after he also finished second in the opening heats with a timing of 20.98 seconds.
Speaking of his runs on Friday, Martin Owens, his coach at Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High-Performance Centre (HPC) at Kalinga Stadium, sounded impressed with the way he managed the two races.
"The first round was just about getting through, and I just told him to qualify, all you have to do is be in the first three. We just get through being a competitor.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah?
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
When that guy cruised past him, he wanted to respond. And then a little sound in his head said, 'Ease off. You don't have to work so hard on this one'," Owens told TOI.
"But championship racing is about getting faster through the rounds, so hopefully we'll get a faster run in the final. In the semis though, he worked the bend fairly hard, switched off 50 metres out. (He) looked better when he switched off than when he was working.
But that's just Animesh looking forward to the final."
Taking into account the two races on Friday, it was his ninth sub-21 seconds run in the year so far. Only during the final of the Indian Open Athletics meeting in Chennai did he have a timing of 21.14 seconds and coach Martins is certain that his pupil will not let him down on the day.
"It's his first major international championships. So whatever he does, he's done himself proud to get to the final and work on. I'm sure he'll do his best. He always does his best. Never lets us down," the coach added.
The coach, however, isn't thinking about whether Kujur will break any records or not. He just wants him "to step off that track with no regrets".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
'It's shameful Bengaluru couldn't manage 1km victory parade': RCB gave city pride but poor planning brought it shame
BENGALURU: A perfect storm of giddy, overenthusiastic fans, poor planning by officials, bad stadium management, stretched police force, shortage of time, clueless event management and lack of communication between stakeholders resulted in the tragic and totally avoidable, deaths of 11 RCB fans and left 75 injured. At the crack of dawn, RCB lit up social media with the big news: The champions were flying home with the coveted IPL trophy and would celebrate with a grand victory parade in Bengaluru. It was an announcement that caught the cops unawares as they had no communication about it. But it sent the already-electrified fanbase into overdrive. Then came the colossal collective failure: Cops failed to act swiftly and draw up crowd-control plans. Politicians turned the celebration into a photo-op frenzy, brushing aside warnings in their race to bask in reflected glory. Many brought their families to Vidhana Soudha to pose with the cricketers. "RCB gave the city a reason to celebrate. But police and netas turned that joy into grief with their sheer incompetence. It's shameful that Bengaluru couldn't manage a 1km victory parade," said the grieving brother of one of the victims. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Even senior bureaucrats admitted that the lives could have been saved with proper planning and coordination. "The RCB management did not consult us before announcing a victory parade. We would not have allowed it given the crazy celebrations that unfolded on the streets on Tuesday night. But the political bosses were in no mood to listen, they wanted us to go ahead with bandobust," a senior police officer said. Those who fell were trampled Till mid-afternoon, there was no clarity whether there was a parade and where the events would be held. Senior cops were informed only around 2pm to be at the stadium and the assembly. By which time, the crowds had already gathered. At the cricket stadium, the scenes from early afternoon held bad portents. Fans had started flocking to the gates by noon and it was apparent to any bystander that things would get of control soon. TOI reporters, who could not even get in, found that most gates stayed shut and false rumours of gate numbers led to a huge rush. Naturally, barricades collapsed, metal grills broke down and those who fell — mostly young people and women — were unable to get up and got crushed and trampled.
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru stampede: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy blames DK Shivakumar for tragic incident
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday blamed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar for the stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 11 people and injured 30 others. Kumaraswamy alleged that the incident was caused by the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister's "impatience, immaturity, and irresponsibility." In a late night press conference at his official residence in New Delhi , the union minister demanded that "the person responsible for this tragedy must be immediately sacked from the cabinet." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He further criticised the Congress government in Karnataka as being run by "arrogant fools" and said, "We have a Chief Minister who is completely inactive. He has no control over the Deputy CM. As for the State Home Minister, there's no point in discussing it. He merely obeys commands." About the government's felicitation event outside Vidhana Soudha, Kumaraswamy said, "While four people lay dead in a stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium, DK Shivakumar continued with the felicitation ceremony as if nothing had happened. How else do you describe such a government other than calling it an arrogant one?" Live Events He also criticised the ceremony for being organised hastily. "On Tuesday night, the team won the IPL trophy. What was the rush to organise a felicitation event immediately? Who invited the team? Why this urgency? Everyone knows the role the Deputy CM played in all this," he stated. "Who rushed to the airport on Wednesday morning to receive the team? Who turned it into an event? It was just the Deputy CM and his entourage. Was this the DK Shivakumar RCB team?" Kumaraswamy questioned sarcastically. "Why hold two separate events? One program, well-organised with proper preparation, would have been enough. There should have been appropriate security and caution. Instead, everything was rushed simply to glorify himself. As a result of this recklessness, sports fans lost their lives," he said. Kumaraswamy criticised the deputy chief minister's conduct at the stadium and said, "After his show at Vidhana Soudha, the Deputy CM reached the stadium. Right outside the stadium lay the bodies of the deceased. Rather than stopping the event, he walked onto the ground, lifted the trophy, and kissed it. Did he play the match and win the cup himself? Perhaps even the players didn't get the opportunity to touch the trophy. In the midst of deaths, he used RCB's win for his own PR and self-glorification." "This kind of recklessness cannot be tolerated. If the Chief Minister truly has any strength, courage, or leadership, he should start by removing such a person from his cabinet," the Union Minister demanded. Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar complimented the state police force for controlling the massive influx of people during the RCB celebrations. "Again, I'm telling on record. I should compliment my Police also, they wanted to have a procession, they wanted to bring a vehicle from the airport guided us not why I rushed to the airport and ensured nothing went Vidhana Soudha, also we were very cautious...," DK Shivakumar said. "We never expected such an incident to happen. No political party or official wanted this. They did their best, but there was an uncontrollable crowd," he added. Shivakumar also announced postponing all programs except the cabinet meeting on June 5. After the incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed a press conference and said 11 people died and 33 were injured in the Siddaramaiah said that the government will also provide free treatment to the injured. "A major tragedy occurred during the victory celebrations. It happened near the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased. The government will provide free treatment to the injured."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
LeBron James raves about Tyrese Haliburton ahead of Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Finals for first-ever NBA title
Image via Adam Hagy/ Getty Images Just days before the 2025 NBA Finals tip-off, LeBron James took a moment to spotlight one of the postseason's breakout leaders—Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. Speaking on the latest episode of his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash, James praised Haliburton not just for his on-court creativity but for the energy and leadership that have helped push Indiana into uncharted territory. With a historic Finals matchup set between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Pacers, James' words cast Haliburton as more than an All-Star. He's the driving force behind one of the NBA's biggest surprises. Tyrese Haliburton gets LeBron James' stamp of approval ahead of historic NBA Finals The Indiana Pacers weren't supposed to be here, not in the Finals, not battling for a first-ever championship. But when the series begins Thursday, June 5, against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder , it'll be clear who helped rewrite the narrative. LeBron James knows exactly who. During ' Mind the Game ', he couldn't say enough about Haliburton's consistency and spirit dating back to their time together with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 'Just a great person, man. A great kid,' LeBron said. 'Didn't matter if he was playing or if he got the opportunity, he was the same guy every single day. And you could see that his mainframe was soaking in all the knowledge and the details, being around all of us. He was just super appreciative every single day. Never changed his mood.' That Olympic experience might've come with limited minutes, but for Haliburton, it was a learning lab. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get More Than Just Cash: The Smart Way to Use Personal Loans Personal Loans | Search ADS Search Now Undo He shared the floor and locker room with legends like James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. James said it was clear Haliburton paid attention to every detail. Image via Jesse D. Garrabrant/ Getty Images Back in Indiana, Haliburton's positive approach and floor generalship turned heads all season, and now in the playoffs, it's all clicked. 'You look at what's going on with the Pacers throughout the regular season and now, throughout the postseason, you get it,' LeBron said. 'It starts with the head of the snake, and that's Hali.' James also pushed back on critics who question Haliburton's upbeat demeanor under pressure. 'Some people say, 'he's smiling in a hostile environment.' I'm like this is who he is. Why are we always trying to change people because they don't fit a narrative?' LeBron didn't hold back when describing what Haliburton brings to a team. 'You can gravitate and bring energy and love, and would run through a wall for certain guys, and he's a guy that you would do that for, just because of how he plays the game.' His podcast co-host Steve Nash echoed the sentiment. 'That infectious positivity coming from your leader… that results in better possessions, good practice days instead of bad,' Nash said. Image via A.J. Mast/ Getty Images Tyrese Haliburton vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander : Elite offense meets lockdown defense in Finals showdown of rising superstars The Finals series itself pits two rising forces against one another. While Haliburton's Pacers represent the cutting edge of NBA offensive innovation, the Thunder's suffocating team defense, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , has turned heads. LeBron summarized the chess match perfectly. 'It's a perfect matchup.' Image via X He also credited Oklahoma City's defensive chemistry, paraphrasing Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. 'It felt like 15 guys on a puppet string… You slide, I slide. You move, I move.' Also Read: 'You want to go through the best team': Tyrese Haliburton stirs the fire before Indiana Pacers face Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025 NBA Finals Whether Indiana completes the fairytale run or OKC claims its first-ever title, the 2025 NBA Finals will mark a new chapter in league history. And while Haliburton may not carry the superstar label just yet, those who've shared the court with him, like LeBron, already know he belongs among the greats. His leadership, energy, and unwavering identity have brought the Pacers to the brink of something unforgettable.
