Noah and Vithya take the honours
The seasonopener Indian Open 400m 2024 at LNCPE, Kariyavattom witnessed close races in men and women’s sections giving indications of intense competition for places in the relay squad for the World Relay Championships in May.
The men’s final was a threehorse race between Noah Nirmal Tom, Muhammed Anas Yahia, and V. Muhammed Ajmal.
The trio pulled ahead from the rest of the field after the first curve. Noah nosed ahead at the second bend with Anas and Ajmal in close pursuit. Noah managed to ward off his challengers to finish in 46.40s. National record holder Yahia came second in 46.48 while Ajmal was clocked 46.68. The men’s event lost some gloss after Amoj Jacob pulled out before the heats due to back spasms.
Vithya Ramraj and Poovamma Raju came first in their respective finals but the former was declared the winner for having a better timing. Vithya’s main rival was Rupal Choudhary who was coming back from injury. Vithya hit the front after the first bend and strode effortlessly to win in 52.25s.
Poovamma and Dandi Jyothika Sri were engaged in a seesaw battle in the second final, which saw Poovamma pip Jyothika at the finish.
Poovama won 52.69s to finish second overall while Dandi Jyothika Sri was third in 52.75.
National junior champion D. Sai Sangeetha, who was reinstated after winning an appeal against foul start in the heats, led from start to finish to win the girls under20 event in 55.30 seconds. Tamil Nadu’s Naveen Kumar won the boys’ under20 event with a timing of 47.40s.
The results: Men: 1. Noah Nirmal Tom (Ker) (46.40s), 2. Muhammed Anas Yahia (Ker) (46.48), 3. V. Muhammed Ajmal (Ker) (46.68). Boys: Under-20: 1. Naveen Kumar (TN) (47.40s), 2. Huzaifa Qaiser (Bih) (47.66), 3. P. Abiram (Ker) (47.77).Under-18: 1. Piyush Raj (Bihr) (49.39s), 2. Yugank Choudhary (UP), 3. Umesh Sahani (UP) (49.93). Women: 1. R. Vithya Ramraj (TN) (52.25s), 2. Poovamma Raju (Kar) (52.69), 3. Dandi Jyothika Sri (AP) (52.75). Girls: Under-20: 1. D. Sai Sangeetha (Tel) (55.30s), 2. Mishthi Kajla (Raj) (55.70), 3. Sandra Mol Sabu (Ker) (55.97). Under-18: 1. Mayukha Vinod (Ker) (58.83s), 2. Latika Dharan (TN) (1:00.08), 3. Eekisha Kiran (Mah) (1:01:32).