Haryana’s Preeti wins steeplechase gold

Mangaluru, May 3

Haryana’s Preeti Lamba won her first big title as she won the women’s 3000m steeplechase in 10:48.86 on the third and penultimate day of the Federation Cup Athletics Championships here today.

On the opening day, she had won a bronze medal in 5000m. Pre-race favourite Nandini Gupta of Uttar Pradesh settled for silver (10:58.76) while Tamil Nadu got a bronze medal through S Padmavathy (11:30.50).

In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Asian Games bronze medallist Naveen Kumar was pushed to the second spot by his Army team-mate Jaiveer Singh.

Jaiveer won the race in 8:48.56, leaving Naveen (8:49.38) yards behind. Maharashtra’s Sachin took the bronze in 8:58.13. It was a sweet revenge for Jaiveer, who after winning back-to-back gold medals in 2012 and 2013, lost it to Naveen last year. Both Jaiveer and Naveen qualified for the Asian Athletics Championships in China (June 3-7).

Two-time junior National champion Maniram Patel, representing Gujarat, finally realised his dream of winning a gold medal in the Federation Cup as he finished first in 20km race walk in 1:29:51. He had won a bronze medal in 2012 at Patiala. Kuldeep Singh (Tata Motors) came second in 1:31:04, nine seconds faster than the bronze medalist Ankit Kumar of Indian Navy.

Neeraj Kumar of Indian Navy and Ritu Dhiman of Uttar Pradesh won the hammer throw gold in men’s and women’s sections respectively with efforts of 64.53m and 58.30m. — PTI