Shaili Singh secures bronze at Seiko Golden Grand Prix, targets World Championships.

In her remarkable debut at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Yokohama, long jumper Shaili Singh showcased her exceptional talent, securing a bronze medal in the highly competitive event. The 19-year-old athlete, known for her silver medal at the Under-20 World Championships, exhibited her prowess from the outset, leaping 6.65 meters in the first round, albeit with wind assistance. However, it was her second jump, a legal 6.59 meters, that solidified her impressive performance.

Despite her personal best being 6.76 meters, Shaili demonstrated consistent jumps throughout the tournament, with marks of 6.35m, 6.36m, and 6.41m, all without any fouls. She stood out as the youngest contender in the women’s long jump category, which featured renowned athletes from around the world.

The significance of Shaili’s bronze medal lies in the event’s classification as Category ‘A,’ which can potentially boost her rankings and secure her qualification for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest this August.

Shaili’s next challenges include the Asian Athletics Championships in Thailand and the Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar. Currently ranked 42nd, she aims to reach a ranking of 36 or higher to secure a coveted spot in the World Championships.

Having started the season with a jump of 6.27 meters at the Asian Indoor Championships, Shaili showcased exceptional improvement, culminating in a triumphant leap of 6.76 meters at the Indian Grand Prix 4 in Bengaluru. This achievement positioned her as the second-best long jumper in India’s history, following the legendary Anju Bobby George, whose husband, Robert, serves as Shaili’s coach.

Re-reported from the story originally published in SAI Media