Sahu targets Asiad cut as Odisha names squad for Inter-State meet

Kolkata: Pragyan Prasanti Sahu will look to make the Asian Games squad in the 100m hurdles after being selected to represent Odisha at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships to be held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from June 24 to 28.The qualification time set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for the continental event is 13.34s, and Sahu has already bettered it, having clocked 13.33s while finishing second in the Federation Cup in Ranchi last month.It was her first major outing after competing in the Indian Athletics Series events in Ranchi and Bengaluru, as well as the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships earlier this year.“The athletics series events we run are mainly to get back into race rhythm. It’s more like practice racing and understanding how to execute in the final,” said Sahu.“In the Federation Cup, I executed well in the heats, and the final was also pretty good. But technically, I didn’t meet the targets I had set for myself. I’ll look to correct that at the Inter-State. I’m aiming for my best race yet. I’ve trained hard and really want to deliver.”Also looking to impress will be Sabita Toppo, who finished fifth in the final and has qualified for the U-23 Asian Athletics Championships.Meanwhile, Animesh Kujur will continue to draw attention in the 100m and is also part of the 4x100m relay squad. Before the Inter-State meet, however, Kujur will compete in 200m in the Indian Athletics Series scheduled for June 13 in Punjab, which will act as the final qualifying event for the Commonwealth Games.Coming to the squad, Lalu Prasad Bhoi and DM Jayaram have also been picked in the 100m, while Sarun Payasingh will compete in the long jump. Mahendra Santa has been named in the 200m.Astik Pradhan and Malaya Barik will compete in the 400m, with Barik also part of the 4x400m relay team. Kishor Jena has been included in the javelin throw, while Jasbir Nayak will feature in the decathlon.The women’s squad also includes sprinters Srabani Nanda and Mousumi Ray, both entered in the 100m and 200m and part of the 4x100m relay team. Purnima Hembaram will contest the heptathlon.