Sarita Singh sets new national record

Patiala: Uttar Pradesh’s Sarita Singh set a new national record in the women’s hammer throw with an effort of 65.25 metres to claim the gold medal at the 21st Federation Cup national senior athletics championships here on Thursday.

Sarita broke the previous national record of 62.74m scripted by Manju Bala in 2014. Sarita, whose previous best before this edition of the Federation Cup was a throw of 61.81m in 2016, was in red-hot form on Thursday. She improved on her personal best with her first throw and broke the old national record in her second throw itself with 63.58m. She would keep improving on that mark before setting the new national record on her final throw.

Gunjan Singh (61.95) finished second ahead of Nidhi Kumar (57.99m).

R. Anu broke a 15-year old meet record to win the 400m hurdles event. She recorded 57.39 seconds to shatter the old mark set by Shahebani Oram in 2002.