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Running for gold
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Squads from Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts bring home laurels
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SURE FOOTED K. Rama Sarvani is a runner to watch out for PHOTO: D. GOPALAKRISHNAN
Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts have dominated state sports for a long time, thanks to the access they have to some world-class facilities in their close vicinity. At the recent Andhra Pradesh state junior athletics meet, held at the Government Polytechnic grounds at Proddutur, Kadapa, the two sides had to settle for second place in the team championships - Ranga Reddy in the boys section and Hyderabad on the distaff side. While these two squads were not in full strength, it was nonetheless heartening to see other districts challenging the supremacy of this duo.
Rama Sarvani emerged the best athlete among the girls. The bespectacled Rama claimed silver in the girls under-20 years 100 and 400 metre runs. Other athletes did turn in creditable performances such as I. Roopika, N. Shruthi, S. Sulochana and A.S.L. Manasa. Roopika dominated the throws in the girls under 16 category, hurling the discus and the shot put the furthest.
A.S.L. Manasa, also of Hyderabad, struck gold in the girls under 20 hammer throw and bronze in the shot put. In the same age group, Shruthi claimed a pair of silvers in the 1500 and 5000 metres. In the 10 km walk, S. Sulochana settled for second place.
For P. Trinath of RR District, it was a golden double in the boys under 20 years category. A National medallist, he claimed gold in the 800 and 1500 metres at this meet with a fair measure of comfort.
Teammate E. Gopi soared the most over the bar and sank deepest into the sponge foam pit, claiming gold in the high jump for boys under 20. Ranga Reddy boys sprinted away with the 4 x 100 metres relay in this category as well. For Vijay Bahadur of Hyderabad, it was quite lonely at the top, or rather in the front. In the 10 km walk for boys under 20 years, none could match his pace as he trotted away to the gold. The ground was dusty despite the watering and white with heat. Nonetheless, boys and girls from the Twin Cities and Ranga Reddy district carried on gamely.
"We weren't there in full strength, but I think our boys and girls did a good job," concluded Stanley Jones, Secretary, Ranga Reddy District Athletics Association.
A. JOSEPH ANTONY
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