Indian Open: Kishore Jena, Jeswin Aldrin headline Chennai athletics meet to prepare for Federation Cup

After Sangrur (Punjab), Nadiad (Gujarat) and Ranchi (Jharkhand), the Indian Open athletics caravan has come to Chennai. 

Some of the top athletes including Jeswin Aldrin (men’s long jump), Tejas Ashok Shirse (men’s 110mH), Amoj Jacob (men’s 400m), and Kishore Kumar Jena (men’s javelin throw) are among the top attractions at one-day competition at the Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.

The meet is expected to be a training competition for the Federation Cup to be held in Kochi from April 21 to 24, which will be a key selection event for the Asian championships in Gumi (South Korea) from May 27 to 31. 

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Animesh Kujur is one of the prominent and promising young athletes in the men’s 100m & 200m. The 21-year-old is taking part in both events as part of his preparations for the Federation Cup.

“Actually, this meet was not in my calendar, and since Athletics Federation of India said that one has to participate in any one of the Indian Open and Indian Grand Prix, I am participating. I am ready for the competition but my main focus is on the Federation Cup,” said Animesh. 

Vithya Ramraj said she has done all the hard work and is ready for the forthcoming competitions in women’s 200m and 400m H, but insisted her focus will be on 400m H. Nearly 400 competitors will compete in the competition, which is the highest in all the previous three meets.