India wins six more golds in athletics

PANAJI: India grabbed six more golds from the athletics arena on the penultimate day of the track and field events, taking their overall tally to 58 medals.

India now have 25 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze medals in their kitty. Portugal, who are behind them, have collected 25 medals - 11 gold, seven silver and as many bronze.

The gold came from Harshith Shashidhar in high jump and Sachin Patil in 3,000 m steeplechase in men's competition, while in women's section Anu Raghavan won in 400 m hurdles, Bhairabi Roy (triple jump), Rengitha Chellah (200 m) and the 4x400 m relay.

With this, India has 15 gold, 14 silver and eight bronze medals from the track and field competition.

Harshith Shashidhar completed an Indian sweep in the high jump by emulating his woman compatriot Tintu.

Shashidhar cleared 2.13 metres and was closely followed by team-mate Shreenith Mohan at 2.11.

Portugal's Tiago Jose Marques Costa had to settle for a bronze at 2.06 metres.

It was a moment of triumph for Angolan girl Felismina Cavela as she won the 800 m well ahead of India's Priyanka Patel.

Felismina captured 1,500 m silver medal finish. The triple jump competition saw Bhairabi Roy fetching India yet another gold with a leap of 12.48 metres.

Team-mate Siva Anbarassi followed with 12.31 m and Portugal's Vanessa Rocha's best effort of 12.15 m got her the bronze.

Anu Raghuvan's women's 400 metre gold came with a fair amount of ease as she time the run in 1:03.53 minutes, well ahead of Guinea Bissau girl Graciela Martins and Sri Lanka's Niluka Dushanthe.