Runner Jaisha aims to qualify for World Athletics

Asian Games bronze medal winning middle distance runner O.P. Jaisha Wednesday said her next target is to qualify for the 1,500-metre race at the World Athletics Championships to be held in Beijing Aug 22-30, 2015.

The qualification mark for the race is four minutes and eight seconds while Jaisha won the Asiad bronze at Incheon with a timing of 4:13.46 - over five seconds out.

Jaisha, who plays for the Railways, won her second gold of the 54th National Open Athletics Championships Wednesday, clinching the top spot in the 1,500m run, clocking 4:17.8, ahead of ONGC's Sini Ajith Markose (4:21.89) and Sakshi (4:22.15). She had won her first gold Sunday in 5,000m in 16:13.61.

"I will get several opportunities to qualify for the World Championships. The qualifying competitions are all next year. The qualification mark is within my reach. I have clocked 4:09 before so I am confident of achieving 4.08," the 31-year-old said.

She said her preparations are in full swing and she will attend successive training camps in Bangalore and China to be at an optimum level in her quest to reach the mark.

"I will leave for Bangalore Thursday to attend a preparation camp and then will fly to China within two months where I will participate in competitions as well as continue my training," she said.

The 21st Asian Athletics Championship will be held in Wuhan, China, in June 2015 and the Kerala runner said that is why she consented to go.

The athlete said that twin golds at the championships here will provide her confidence and motivation to achieve the targets.

"There wasn't much of a competition in this event and without it, it's difficult to achieve the World Championship qualification mark. But still, it's good to win as it gives me confidence and motivation to look forward."