Manpreet wins gold, smashes national record
Indian shot putter Manpreet Kaur on Monday clinched gold in the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix Athletics Meet with a national record and world season-leading effort here.
Manpreet came up with a best throw of 18.86m in the seasonopening international event for the Indians, which was nearly one metre more than her national record of 17.96m that she had set in 2015.
The 26-year-old from Punjab began with a modest 16.69m and then tossed the iron ball to 18.03m in her third round before achieving the big one in the fourth throw. Though it is very early days in the international season but Manpreet’s 18.86m is the leading mark so far in the world.
With today’s performance, Manpreet also qualified for the IAAF World Championships to be held in August in London.
Neeraj Chopra (men’s javelin), Tintu Luka (women’s 800m), Neena Varakil (women’s long jump) and Jinson Johnson (men’s 800m) won a silver each, while Dutee Chand (women’s 100m) and Om Prakash Karhana (men’s shot put) bagged a bronze each.
It was a disappointment for junior world record holder Chopra as he had to settle for a silver with a modest effort of 82.11m.
Serena Williams returned to the top of the WTA world rankings on Monday and immediately shared the news with her unborn baby.
The American, who is skipping the rest of the year after announcing last week that she was pregnant, took to social media to offer her first public thoughts on impending motherhood.
“My Dearest Baby, You gave me the strength I didn’t know I had. You taught me the true meaning of serenity and peace,” the 35-year-old who owns 23 grand slam titles, said on Instagram.
“I can’t wait to meet you. I can’t wait for you to join the players box next year,” she continues.
“But most importantly, I am so happy to share being number one in the world with you... once again today.
From the world’s oldest number one to the world’s youngest number one. - Your Mommy.”
Williams set off a day of frenzied speculation last Wednesday with a selfie posted on social media -- posing for a photo in a yellow one-piece swimsuit on Snapchat -- with the caption “20 weeks”.
Serena Williams deleted the
Maria Sharapova returns after a 15-month doping ban Wednesday, desperate to rediscover the glory which brought her five Grand Slams, the world’s top ranking and a spectacular multi-million dollar lifestyle.