IAAF World Championships | Dharun Ayyasamy bows out early as MP Jabir enters semis
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Tamil Nadu sprinter Dharun Ayyasamy turned out to be the biggest upset for the Indian athletics contingent as the much anticipated quartermiler was eliminated in the opening round of the men’s 400m hurdles. However, MP Jabir managed to enter the semis of the same event finishing third in heats.
22-year-old Ayyasamy had first caught eyeballs in the Federation Cup, which was held in Patiala back in March of this year. He had won the gold medal clocking 48.80 seconds, which turned out to be a new National and meet record and consequently earned him a place at the IAAF World Championships.
However, injuries took a toll on the youngster and he had to sit out of the Asian Championships in Doha in April this year owing to a shin-bone stress fracture, an injury Ayyasamy had suffered in the 2016-17 season as well. Hence, despite his talent, fans weren’t really expecting much from him.
And the quartermiler stood up to the expectations as he finished in the sixth place in Heat 5, clocking a meager 50.55 seconds, coming in the 27th position out of the 39 runners in the event.
However, MP Jabir saved India the blushes as he managed to progress into semifinals of the competition as he clocked 49.62 seconds to finish third in the first heat. His timing was the 11th quickest in the heats and he would be competing in the men’s 400m hurdles finals on Saturday.
