Manjit Singh’s last burst won him the gold, while Jinson Johnson came second as India dominated the men’s 800-metre final event at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta on Tuesday.
28-year-old Manjit recorded his personal best of 1 minute and 46.15 seconds to win his first major international medal. While Johnson claimed silver with a timing of 1 minute and 46.35 seconds. Abdalla Abubaker of Qatar came third after finishing in a minute and 46.38 seconds.
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The 28-year-old Johnson, who had broken legendary Sriram Singh’s 42-year-old national record during the National Inter-State Athletics Championships currently holds the record with a 1:45.65 seconds timing.
Manjit’s medal was India’s ninth gold at the intercontinental event this year, three of which have come from athletics. India has so far won 47 medals – 9 gold, 17 silver and 21 bronze.
It was also the third time India has won two medals in the 800m event of the Asian Games. Ranjit Singh had won gold while Kulwant Singh clinched the silver in 1951. Then in 1962, Daljit Singh had won the silver medal and Amrit Pal settled for the bronze.
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