Anju George in long jump final

India's Anju B George qualified for the women's long jump final in the athletics event at the 17th Commonwealth Games at the City of Manchester stadium on Sunday.

The Tamil Nadu girl leapt to a distance of 6.36 metres in the Pool A qualifying round to make it to the final. She finished second in her pool, behind Australia's Bronwyn Thompson, who had an effort of 6.47 metres.

Anju's performance was the third-best in the two qualifying pools. England's Jade Johnson had the best jump of 6.65 metres.

India's athletic campaign had begun on a dismal note, with woman hammer thrower Hardeep Kaur failing to qualify for the final on the opening day of the competition.

Hardeep, who had put up an impressive performance in domestic meets, had narrowly missed the qualifying cut when she heaved the iron ball to a distance of 55.98 metres. She finished behind Scotland's Mhairi Walters, who just managed to qualify with an effort of 56.03 metres.

Heats results

Women's Long Jump qualification:
[Qualification standard 6.55 metres or best 12]
Qualifying Pool A: 1 Bronwyn Thompson (Aus) 6.47 q, 2 Anju Bobby George (Ind) 6.36 q, 3 Jackie Edwards (Bah) 6.35 q, 4 Ruth Irving (Sco) 6.20 q, 5 Ann Danson (Eng) 6.09 q, 6 Esther Aghatise (Ngr) 6.08 q, 7 Nayanthi Chandrasena (Sri) 5.93, 8 Desiree Cocks (Ang) 5.02, 9 Francoise Mbango (Cmr) Did Not Start

Qualifying Pool B: 1 Jade Johnson (Eng) 6.65 Q, 2 Chinedu Odozor (Ngr) 6.35 q, 3 Chantal Brunner (Nzl) 6.34 q, 4 Elva Goulbourne (Jam) 6.26 q, 5 Irene Charalambous (Cyp) 6.12 q, 6 Sarah Claxton (Eng) 6.08 q, 7 Kimberley Goodall (Gue) 5.54, 8 Selloane Tsoaeli (Les) 5.49, 9 Kaitinano Mwemweata (Kri) 4.19