U-20 World Athletics Championships: Anju Bobby George’s protege Shaili Singh enters long-jump final

U-20 World Athletics Championships: India’s hopes of a medal at the U-20 Worlds was hanging on the young long jumper and Anju Bobby George’s protege Shaili Singh. She didn’t disappoint. The long-jumper entered the final round with an effort of 6.40m at the U-20 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi on Friday.

The 17-year-old Shaili Singh considered one of the brightest upcoming stars in Indian athletics, achieved her best of the day in her third and final jump after starting off with a 6.34m in Group B. Her second jump recorded 5.98m.

That is #ShailiSingh for you landing at 6.40m distance from the board & earning auto Q for Sunday’s final of #WorldAthleticsU20

???? Coach Bobby George

????????@anjubobbygeorg1 pic.twitter.com/b6KLqFMHwf

— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) August 20, 2021

Shaili Singh is considered a medal prospect but the final, which will be held on Sunday, is expected to be a tough affair with some of the world’s best having made the cut.

Also Read: U-20 World Athletics Championships: India’s Nandini Agasara qualifies for semi-final of 100m hurdles

Well done #shailisingh for auto qualification to finals with that 6.40m effort ✌???? at #WorldAthleticsU20

Keep it up champion, stay fit & safe for your best in the finals ???????? on Sunday, 6.55pm India Time. pic.twitter.com/ba1qzigBlu

— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) August 20, 2021

Sweden’s 18-year-old Maja Askag, who had won the European U-20 title last month, qualified as second best overall after winning Group A with a best jump of 6.39m. Lissandra Maysa Campos (6.36m) of Brazil, Shantae Foreman (6.27m) of Jamaica and Mariia Horielova (6.24m) of Ukraine, who qualified as third, fourth and fifth respectively, have jumped beyond 6.40m this season.

Shaili Singh, who had won the long jump event at the National (Senior) Inter-State Championships in June with an effort of 6.48m, is the current U-18 world No. 2 and U-20 national record holder.

Also Read: U-20 World Athletics Championships: Indian mixed 4x400m relay team settle for bronze – Watch Video

U-20 World Athletics Championships: The Jhansi-born athlete was raised by a single mother who worked as a tailor. She currently trains at the academy of celebrated long jumper Anju Bobby George in Bengaluru. She is coached by Anju’s husband Bobby George.

In other events, Nandini Agasara qualified for women’s 100m hurdles semifinals after finishing fourth in heat 4 and 21st overall.

But Tejas Shirse (men’s 110m hurdles; 5th in heat 3), Pooja (women’s 1500m; 11th in heat 1) and Shanmuga Srinivas (men’s 200m; 5th in heat 2) failed to advance to the semifinals.