Athletes help swell India's medals tally
Jinson Johnson kept his date with gold while Seema Punia was relegated to third place in track and field events in the 18th Asian Games on Thursday.
With a 1500 m gold, India added two more bronze medals won by its women athletes - Seema Punia in discus throw and Chitra Palakeezh in 1500 m - to take India's medals tally to 57 with 12 gold and 20 silver medals.
India had put high hopes on its middle distance running duo of Manjit Singh and Jinson Johnson in 1500 m after the pair had given the country a gold and a silver in 800 m run.
Though Jinson Johnson lived up to expectations by winning the 1500 m race, Manjit finished fourth in a grueling race. Johnson clocked 3:44.72 minutes against second placed Amir Moradi of Iran. Manjit clocked 3:46.57 minutes to finish fourth.
In discus throw where there high expectations from experienced Seema Punia she finished third with a best throw of 62.26 m against Chan Yang of China who won the event by clearing 65.12 m. Other Indian in the fray was Sandeep Kumari who took the fifth spot by clearing 54.61 m.
In 1500m m for women, Chitra Palakeezh clocked 4:12.56 to get a bronze while the gold medal winner was Kulkidan Befikadu of Bahrain.
In 5000 m for men Lakshamanan Govindan was placed sixth. Hevreturned a time of 14:17.09 mins.
In 50 km India's Sandeep Kumar was disqualified.
-PTC NEWS
