Ashwini Akkunji named in Indian team for World Athletics Championships


New Delhi, July 20 (PTI) : Double Asian Games gold-medallist Ashwini Akkunji was today named in the Indian women's 4x400m relay squad for next month's World Championships in Moscow just days after completing a two-year ban for a dope offence.

Akkunji, whose ban period for steroid doping in 2011 ended on July 3, was included in the women's 4x400m relay squad of six members as India named a 15-strong team for the August 10-18 World Championships.

The other members of 4x400m relay are M R Poovamma, Tintu Luka, Anu Mariam Jose, Nirmala and Anilda Thomas. The first four had won a gold for India in Asian Athletics Championships in Pune early this month which ensured the country's qualification for Moscow.

Six walkers were also named by the selection committee of the Athletics Federation of India after a meeting here.

K T Irfan, Gurmeet Singh and Chandan Singh were named for the men's 20km walk as all of them have qualified for Moscow with 'A' standard. Amritsar girl Kushbir Kaur has been named for the women's 20km walk.

In the men's 50km walk, Basant Bahadur Rana and Sandeep Kumar will represent the country.

Vikas Gowda (men's discus throw), Sudha Singh (women's 3000m steeplechase) and Renjith Maheswary (men's triple jump) complete the list of 15 athletes to represent India.

The team, except for Gowda, will leave from here on August 6. Gowda will join the team in Moscow.

"The 4x400m relay team, which had won a gold in Asian Athletics Championships in Pune, is likely to do better in Moscow. K T Irfan, who had finished 10th in London Olympics, is likely to improve his performance," the AFI said in a release after the selection committee meeting chaired by Gurbachan Singh Randhawa.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Chandrashekhar, Kundapura / Basrur

    Mon, Jul 22 2013

    Minchi Hoda Kaalakke Chintisi Falavilla... So common, show everyone what you are upto... BHAG ASHWINI BHAAG....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • sugandhini d achar, shankarnarayana

    Mon, Jul 22 2013

    thank god , ashwini you came back , good luck, god bless u, get a gold medal in Moscow.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • P Shetty, Mumbai

    Sun, Jul 21 2013

    A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion - Grantland Rice

    Don't worry Ashwini. Let public write whatever they want. You are answerable to yourself and god.

    ALL THE BEST. HOLD INDIAN FLAG HIGH.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • SURESH MAROLI, MANGALORE/BAHRAIN

    Sun, Jul 21 2013

    BHAG AKKU BHAG, LEKIN DRUGS LEKAR MATH BHAG...

    DisAgree [18] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Sun, Jul 21 2013

    If Ashwini Akkunji is given proper training and encouragement by the Authorities in India she has the talent and the potential to win an Olympic medal even in an individual race.
    I have seen her in action in a few races and she seems to have very good acceleration capability with her long strides which is an asset in relay racing especially when your team is lagging and there is a need to catch up and overtake.

    Indians,Kannadigas and South Kanarites are proud of her.

    We hope she has put the setback to her career behind her and is looking forward to reaching new goals.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • P S Shetty, MANGALORE

    Sun, Jul 21 2013

    Innocent Ashvini was a victim of over Ambition of her Foreign Coach. Without her knowledge coach went on feeding her banned Performance-Enhancing-Drugs just to prove that he is a better Coach than others. This "over ambition" of the Coach has damaged Ashvini's Sports Career.
    The Athletes are always given Vitamin Pills and other Nutritions Three times a day by their Coach & Dietitian/Nutritionist. Is it practicable for any player to go to Lab three times a day and get those Food & Vitamin Pills tested every time before consuming ?.
    When any one is sick he will go to his family Doctor and blindly consume the Medicine given by Doctor. But if the Doctor gives wrong Medicine and if the Patient's ailment becomes acute should we punish the Doctor or should we Punish the Patient ??. In Ashwini's Case Patient is Punished for the mistake of Doctor. What a weird justice!!
    Majority of the people do not know that athletes are daily given legally permitted Vitamin Pills by the Sports authority 3 times daily and it is easy to replace such Vitamin Pills by the Coach & Dietitian without the knowledge of the Players either with good intention or bad intention. Naturally Players will have to fully trust their Coach, otherwise it is not possible to fully concentrate on their daily Training.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • AJITH LEWIS, Kundapur

    Sat, Jul 20 2013

    Good luck Ashwini. God bless u.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Subash Pai, Mangalore/Dubai

    Sat, Jul 20 2013

    No Thrill after her dope episode.

    DisAgree [27] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Sat, Jul 20 2013

    Bhag Ashwini Bhag.....

    All the best...wish u all success.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • simple, Bangalore

    Sat, Jul 20 2013

    Welcoming back ashwini and wishing her and all members of the Indian contingent best of luck in Moscow.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Sat, Jul 20 2013

    Thank God..At last she got justice..Because of her stupid coach,she had to face all bloody problems and 2 year ban..Aswhini is a natural sprinter..She used to run 2km everyday to catch bus when she was going to school..Hard work and determination brought her to this stage.Hope she will create HISTORY in Moscow..Kundapurada nam hudugi guarantee chinna hidkand batlu kaani..

    DisAgree [13] Agree [51] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gabriel Francis ( Gabbuji), Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 20 2013

    Akkunji, do not take drugs to get medals n money n fame. U will be disaster if u consume performance enhancing drugs.

    DisAgree [42] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse


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