Aditya leaps to the long jump gold; Jeswin disappoints

Jeswin Aldrin disappoints at Indian Open athletics meet; Aditya Kumar Singh and Yashvir Singh shine in field events.

Participating in his first event since the 2024 Paris Olympics, much was expected from long jumper Jeswin Aldrin. The 23-year-old, however, failed to deliver, finishing seventh after pulling a hamstring, in the Indian Open athletics meet at the Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.

Aditya Kumar Singh, also 23, from Varanasi stunned the field to bag the gold with a leap of 7.74m. Jeswin, the National record holder, jumped 7.36m in his first attempt, fouled the next three, did not attempt his fifth before fouling in his sixth and final run.

“I was looking forward to the event but during warm-up, I developed the pain,” Jeswin said.

In another major upset of the day, Yashvir Singh of Railways won the men’s javelin throw event with a 77.49m effort, thereby putting to shade the effort of Kishore Jena, the 2022 Asian Games silver medallist. Kishore finished second with a 75.99m.

Taking part in the men’s shot put, despite a back issue, favourite Tejinderpal Singh Toor won, thanks to his first throw of 17.61m. He fouled the next two before deciding not to go ahead with the next three throws.

In men’s 400m, favourite Amoj Jacob pulled out midway in the final citing an hamstring issue while Md. Anas, the National record holder, ran the heats but chose not to run the final.

The results (winners only):