Lalita breaks national record, enters 3,000m steeplechase final

Indian middle distance runner Lalita Babar broke the national record to qualify for the final of the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase at the World Athletics Championships here on Monday.

Lalita qualified with a timing of nine minutes, 27.86 seconds to finish fourth in her heat at the Bird's Nest Stadium.

The reigning Asian champion bettered her own previous national record of 9:34:13 by more than six seconds. She is the first Indian to have qualified for the 3000m steeplechase final in a World Championships.

Lalita entered the final round as one of the six fastest timers outside the three top finishers in each of the three heats who got automatic qualification.

Olympic silver medallist Habiba Ghribi of Tunisia won her heat in 9:24.38 to enter the final as the best performer in the qualifiers.

Gesa Felicitas Krause of Germany set the second fastest time of 9:24.92 while Ethiopia's Hiwot Ayalew was third fastest with 9:25.55 in the heats.

A total of 15 runners have qualified for the final which will take place on Wednesday.

ajb/bg