By Our Special Correspondent
Long jumper Aishwarya Babu may have recorded an impressive leap of 6.73 meters on Indian soil since 2005 on Sunday, but it is still not her pet event. In fact, coming into the competition, the 24-year-old triple jump specialist has not practiced for the long jump, she is a “b event”, and her coach likes to keep it.
“There is no training specifically for the long jump. She jumped 6.73m in the long jump and it is clear that something is going on,”said Coach Sri Ayyappa, who coached 2010 Asian Games heptathlon bronze medalist and wife Pramila Ayyappa.
Aishwarya's attempt to reach the qualifying round helped her cross the Commonwealth Games entry mark of 6.50 meters. Her aggression made her the second best all-time Indian jumper after Anju Bobby George, who achieved the national mark of 6.83 meters in 2004. Anju, India's only World Championship medalist has three more jumps (2001- 6.74m, 2002- 6.75m, 2005- 6.75m) and Aishwarya is better than 6.73m.
Although Aishwarya did not target Anju's national mark, her jump made her re-evaluate her goals. "She will break Anju's record," said Coach Sri Ayyappa.
Pramila identified Aishwarya during a railway inquiry two years ago. “Her speed on the runway was something. Her two big features are her speed and explosive ability. In fact, if you look at her, you ask, ‘Did she jump 6.73 meters?’ She is half the size of an anju, ”Ayyappa said. "She's almost flying off the runway."
Aishwarya will return to the field for her pet event, the triple jump, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Monday, where she has already qualified for the Birmingham CWG. Aishwarya is now second on the Triple Jump India Season-Best List with 13.94m and topped the relevant long jump charts, surpassing Ancy Joseph (6.55m).
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