Big India contingent eyes top-three finish

Bhubaneswar: The late pull-out by Ranchi, notwithstanding, India have managed to put in place top-class facilities in short time and is set to roll out the 22nd edition of the Asian Athletics Championships here from Thursday, with the hosts aiming for a top three finish in the medal standings.

More than 800 athletes from 44 countries will descend on the capital of Odisha to compete in 42 events in the championships, being held in India for the third time after New Delhi and Pune hosted it in 1989 and 2013.

As has been the case with every edition, some of the continent’s top stars will skip the championships, robbing some sheen out of the biennial continental flagship event.

With the World Championships also happening in the same year, many top athletes have decided to skip the event.

China, who are fielding more than 50 athletes, are here without their top triple jumper Dong Bin, an Olympic bronze medallist and hammer thrower Zhang Wenxiu, who won silver in Rio Games, besides some other stars.

Another Asian athletics powerhouse Qatar have not sent long jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim, who recently won a gold in the Doha leg of the Diamond League.

The event also has an added significance as winners will get automatic berths for the World Championships to be held in London this August.

Though minnows at the world stage, India are still heavyweights in Asian athletics with the third most medals won behind China and Japan in the Asian Championships and have fielded the best available team of 95, including 46 women, the biggest contingent of all nations.

India finished third in Wuhan in the last edition with 13 medals (four gold, five silver, four bronze) but this time they are expected to increase the count.

Gold medal prospects include Neeraj Chopra (men’s javelin throw), Manpreet Kaur (women’s shot put, Muhammd Anas (men’s 400m) and women’s 4x400m relay race.

Pakistan’s participation was earlier in doubt but a six-member team made it to the championships after getting visas just in time.

The opening day of competitions could see India opening their gold account as Manpreet takes field, while discus thrower Vikas Gowda, too will be in action.