New Delhi, September 16 (HS): India’s dismal run at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo continued on Monday, with long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, sprint hurdler Tejas Shirse, and steeplechasers Parul Chaudhary and Ankita Dhyani all bowing out in the opening rounds.

Asian Games silver medallist Sreeshankar, making a comeback after more than a year on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury, had qualified for the championships on the basis of world rankings. However, the seasoned jumper failed to breach the 8.15m automatic qualification mark or secure a place in the top 12. His attempts of 7.78m, 7.59m, and 7.70m placed him 25th among 36 participants.

Earlier in the day, India’s campaign faltered in the women’s 3000m steeplechase heats. National record holder Parul Chaudhary clocked 9:22.24 to finish ninth in her heat, ranking 20th overall, while Ankita Dhyani, with a personal best of 9:31.99, could only manage 10th place in her heat, finishing last overall at 35th position.

India’s hopes in the men’s 110m hurdles also faded with Tejas Shirse falling short in the preliminary rounds. Competing in the fifth and final heat, the national record holder managed 13.57 seconds, finishing sixth. With only the top four and the next four fastest athletes advancing, Shirse ended up 29th out of 42 hurdlers, well outside the semifinal cut.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar