Pushing his limits

Nauraj on a high despite being sick in Spain

KUALA LUMPUR: High jumper Nauraj Singh Randhawa (pic) was feeling a little under the weather but did not let that stop him from winning the gold medal in the Barcelona International Athletics Championships.

Having just recovered from fever and flu, the Podium Programme athlete still did enough to pip Australian Brandon Starc (2.15m) to second place and Spain’s Miguel Angel Sancho Rubio (2.11m) to third at the Joan Serrahima Stadium in Barcelona on Friday.

But Nauraj, who is in Europe for a five-week training-cum-competition stint, failed to get anywhere near national record of 2.30m, which he set in the Singapore Open in April to qualify for World Championships (in London from Aug 4-13).

The 25-year-old Nauraj, who left for Europe last week to prepare for the world meet, was quite pleased with his performance.

“I was not 100% well, having just recovered from flu and fever. So, I’m glad I still managed to win the gold in Barcelona.

“It’s a good start for me in Europe as I am here to train and take part in four competitions ahead of the world meet,” said Nauraj, who cleared 2.25m to win gold in the Summer of Athletics Grand Prix in Canberra, Australia, in March.

Nauraj had also cleared the same height to finish fourth at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Kanagawa last Sunday.

His next assignment in Europe are the Castelloe Open in Spain on Tuesday.

Nauraj, who featured in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics last year, will also take part in two competitions in Germany – the Koln High Jump meet on July 14 and the Viersen International High Jump meet on July 17.

After that Nauraj, who is accompanied by his Australian coach Alex Stewart, will be based in London for three weeks before making his world meet debut.