A typical monsoon day occuring in Bangkok while top Asian athletes are trying to perform at Supachasalai National Stadium. The weather conditions was changing all the day to leave some events in a unfortunate fashion such as rainy 100m hurdles final.
India has taken three gold and equalled to China’s number on day two as their athletes were performing well in general. Asian Indoor medallist Jyothi Yarraji who lowered under 13 seconds in 100m hurdles this year, secured first place in the final ahead of two strong Japanese rivals and became India’s first Asian champion in women’s sprint hurdles.
BACK TO THE TOP IN SIX YEARS
Former Asian Champion Ajay Kumar Saroj bounced back in 1500 metres after he lost the title four years ago in Doha. Saroj has kicked hard in the final bend to take over three rivals in last 250 metres and clinched to gold medal. In that moment, another Indian athlete was celebrating for a title in triple jump. Last year’s Commonwealth medallist Abdulla Aboobacker steals the victory in triple jump with 16.92 metres while Hiraku Ikehata grabbed a last-gasp silver after his 16.73 measurement in the final effort.
Men’s 400 metres ruled by the Japanese sprinters as Kentaro Sato clocked 45-dead in the final by beating his name-sake counterpart Fuga Sato. Saudi veteran Yousef Ahmed Masrahi was able to sustain his lead around 350 metres but collapsed after two-way pressure in the final part. Masrahi, a three-time Asian titlist, secured a bronze medal with 45.19 – his seventh medal in total at this event.
Women’s 400 metres gold goes to Sri Lanka as four-time national champion Nadeesha Ramanayake enjoyed her first international success by clocking 52.61 in the final.
HISTORY FOR MONGOLIA
Japan has clinched yet another 1-2 double – third in just two days – in women’s 10,000 metres final. Although the race wasn’t a high-class contest, 2003-born Haruka Kokai ran just under 33 minutes in 25 laps race, followed by Momoka Kawaguchi.
There was a high note for the Mongolian in same race: 30-year-old Bayartzog Munkhzaya (whose birth year listed in start list as 2004 incorrectly) clocked 33:24.79 to clinched bronze medal by breaking national record as well. Munkhzaya currently holding all the Mongolian records from 3000 metres to marathon, brought only second continental championships medal to Inner-Asian country. The only previous Asian medal won by a Mongolian was in 25 years ago where Dashdenkev Makhashiri finished second in discus throw.
