Long jumper Shaili Singh misses gold by 1cm, settles for silver in U20 World Athletics Championships
Nairobi, Aug 22: Highly talented long jumper Shaili Singh on Sunday missed out on scripting history by a mere 1cm as she settled for a silver in the U-20 World Athletics Championships here.
The 17-year-old Indian's personal best effort of 6.59m was not enough for a gold as she was pipped to the post by Sweden's reigning European junior champion Maja Askag, who managed 6.60m for the top spot on the final day of the championships.
A protege of legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George, Shaili was leading at the end of the third round but the 18-year-old Swede overtook her in the fourth round by a mere 1cm which proved to be decisive in the end.
Mariia Horielova of Ukraine took the bronze with a best jump of 6.50m.
India ended their campaign with a best ever medal haul of 2 silver and 1 bronze, though the country had won one gold each in the earlier two editions -- by Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra (2016) and quartermiler Hima Das (2018).
The mixed 4x400m relay quartet and 10,000m race walker Amit Khatri had earlier won a bronze and a silver respectively in this championships.
Shaili began brightly with a 6.34m and repeated the same distance next before her best effort in the third round. Her next two attempts were fouls and she could not get past the 6.60m in her final jump and the youngster seemed to be distraught at missing a gold and chance to create history.
Shaili, considered one of the brightest upcoming stars in Indian athletics, had topped the qualification round on Friday with a best jump of 6.40m.
The Jhansi-born athlete, who was raised by a single mother who worked as a tailor, currently trains at the academy of Anju Bobby George in Bengaluru. She is coached by Anju's husband Bobby George.
She had won the women's long jump event at the National (Senior) Inter-State Championships in June with an effort of 6.48m, her previous personal best. She is the current U-18 world No. 2 and U-20 national record holder.
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Protest over ATM staff shooting ends after assurance from MP Sagar Khandre
Bidar: A major protest erupted in front of the district government hospital following a deadly shooting incident involving State Bank of India ATM staff. One staff member was killed, and another critically injured when unidentified assailants opened fire as they attempted to deposit money at the ATM.
The incident drew public outrage, with family members of the victims and local residents gathering outside the hospital. They demanded immediate compensation, job security for a family member, and expedited post-mortem procedures, criticizing the absence of senior officials and government representatives earlier in the day.
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MP Sagar Khandre later arrived to offer condolences and address the protesters' concerns. Responding to demands, he assured that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister to arrange for two acres of land and a government job for the victim’s family. Additionally, he confirmed that since the case falls under the Atrocity Act, the Social Welfare Department would provide Rs. 8 lakh in compensation.
Following his assurances, the protest was called off, bringing temporary relief to the tense situation. Police investigations into the robbery and shooting are ongoing, with senior officials, including IGP Ajay Hiroli, overseeing the case.
