The Hindu : Sport : Soma, Shobha defend heptathlon medals

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Sunday, Dec 10, 2006
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Soma, Shobha defend heptathlon medals

Special Correspondent

Favourite Olga Rypakova clinches gold

— PHOTO: AP

KEEPING A PROMISE: Soma Biswas (centre) and J.J. Shobha (left) successfully defended their silver and bronze medals in heptathlon.

DOHA: They were tipped to win two medals. Soma Biswas and J.J. Shobha kept their promise as they successfully defended their silver and bronze medals in heptathlon in the Asian Games at the Khalifa Stadium here on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Soma logged 5675 points to take the silver behind the favourite Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan (5955). ``I cannot say how happy I am. You can see my face. Whatever the points may be, I am happy with my overall result. I have to improve in high jump to win the gold in future'', said Soma, who had also won the relay gold in the last edition at Busan.

Improved show

The Asian Championship gold medallist last year at Incheon, Soma did well to improve from her overnight position of third, by taking the third place in both long jump and javelin throw, and wound up in style by winning the 800 metres with a timing of 2:23.05.

Shobha on the other hand improved from the sixth place overnight, by being placed second in long jump and javelin. She was third in 800 metres.

``I tried for the gold, but lost it in the jumping events'', said Shobha who was tipped to touch 6000 points and go for the gold when she was selected ahead of the talented Sushmita Singha Roy.

Naumeko's woes

Another favourite, Irina Naumeko of Kazakhstan, second overnight after four events, messed up her chances as she fouled all her attempts in long jump and got a zero after which there was no redemption.

Olga won the high jump and the long jump in style with efforts of 1.92m and 6.63m respectively and that saw her to the crown.

``I knew that I would win only after the fifth event. I prepared hard, but didn't expect to win the gold,'' said Olga.

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