Last February, Chinese Taipei’s young jumper Yu-Tang Lin became Asian Indoor champion in long jump in Nursultan, Kazakhstan. Joining on 8-metres club there, Lin has arrived in Bangkok as one of the favorites for outdoor continental crown.
Lin started to the final by 8.10, a solid reply to Sreeshankar whose opening effort was measured same, then Chinese Mingkun did 8.08 metres. After in hig-flying opening round, Lin did a couple of consistent leaps, a 7.93 followed by 8.09 metres. When trailed to Sreeshankar by two centimetres in third round, he back to sand pit with a roar in the next one. Taipei’s medal hopeful Lin has produced third best jump in the World this year and extended his PB by 28 centimetres to 8.40 metres, also a championship record.
Sreeshankar, who ironically 8.41 jumper this season, have some good tries on his final two attempts, 8.13 and 8.37 respectively, but couldn’t beat to Lin’s historic mark.
Lin became Taipei’s first long jump Asian champion since 1989 as hailed as new national record holder. With a consideration of bronze medallist Mingkun’s mark (8.08m), that contest became highest level long jump final in the history of Asians.
World Indoor champion high jumper Sanghyeok Woo grabbed his second Asian gold with 2.28 while Thailand’s SEA Games champion Tawan Kaewkam wins bronze by 2.26 metres.
Qatar earned their first gold in 400 metres hurdles by Bassem Hemeida who dipped under 49 seconds in the final. 23-year-old Egyptian born Hemeida took his third international title in one month including his Arab Champs and Pan Arab Games victories. Meanwhile, Robyn Brown of Philippines wins 400m hurdles women by defeating Japanese duo in a close finish. At the end of the day, Uzbekistan’s Ekaterina Voronina scored 6098 points in heptathlon to ensured her third Asian title in the career.
The fourth day came to end with mixed relay final which won by favorites India. Indian team clocked 3:14.70, beat existing CR belong to Salwa Nasser-led Bahrain four year ago.
