Anju George sets new triple jump national mark

Asian Games gold medallist Anju B George of Tamil Nadu set a new National record in the triple jump at the 32nd National Games in Hyderabad on Wednesday and immediately announced her decision to quit the event to focus on the long jump.

The 25-year-old Kerala-born Tamil Nadu-based athlete, who leapt to a distance of 6.53 metres to win the long jump gold medal at the Busan Games, cleared 13.67 metres at the National Games to erase her own national triple jump record of 13.61 metres, established at the last Games in Ludhiana.

Talking to the media after winning the gold, Anju said she would bid goodbye to the triple jump in order to focus on her pet event, the long jump.

"I am now retiring from the triple jump. I have decided to concentrate on doing sprints to improve my long jump performance," she said.

Records apart, what was heartening was the instinct and concentration of this Kerala girl, who is employed with the Chennai Customs, as she soared to the new record without any serious challenge.

The second place went to AP's Manisha Dey, who cleared 13.32 metres.

The sprightly 1.76 metre tall athlete who remains one of India's bright prospect for a medal in international meets thus became the first to erase an athletics national mark at the ongoing Games.

Listing out her plans for the future, Anju said she hopes to compete in Europe in at least six indoor competitions from February to May and then proceed to California, USA, to train under Michael Powell, the well-known coach for jumps, with who she had a stint earlier.

"I am aware of the hard work that is needed for securing a medal at the Athens Olympics. I will start my preparation towards achieving this goal from February 2003," she added.