CHENNAI: Triple jumper Priyadarshini Suresh continued her stellar form at Asian Junior Athletic Championship in Gifu (Japan) on Thursday, clinching bronze with a personal-best effort of 13.08m.
India's tally at the event swelled to four medals, courtesy gold and silver from hammer throwers Ashish Jakhar and Damneet Singh, and another bronze in women's 5000m from Poonam Sonune.
While Jakhar set a new national U-20 record with a throw of 76.86m in his second attempt, Damneet threw 74.08m. Nashik girl Sonune finished with a timing of 17:03.75s.
Priyadarshini's outing has ensured her a ticket for participation in World U-20 Junior Championship (in Finland in July). She couldn't secure a berth for the same event despite clinching gold at South Asian Junior Athletic Championship in Colombo last month, since her effort was wind-assisted.
"I am really happy that I was able to cross the 13m-mark four times. Winning bronze was just the icing on the cake because my sole aim was to jump more than 12.9m (her previous best). Even my father (also her coach) was pumped that I made it to Worlds, which will be held next month, " the 18-year-old told Express from Gifu.
Priyadarshini also said that there was intense competition from other countries, since this meet was their final chance to get into World Championship.
"I think pressure brings out the best in anyone. There were a lot of athletes who jumped between 12.8m and 13.2m. I was lucky enough to cross that mark today. Looking ahead, my goal is to jump between 13.2m and 13.3m in Finland."
srinidhi@newindianexpress.com