Arpinder clinches bronze in triple jump

Arpinder Singh gave India its third medal in athletics as he won a bronze in the men’s triple jump event of the 20th Commonwealth Games. The Indian athletics team was hoping for a medal from Arpinder after he leapt a brilliant 17.17m in June and he lived upto the expectations by winning a bronze with a best jump of 16.63m at the Hampden Park which was hit by evening rain. The 21-year-old Arpinder achieved his best jump in his first attempt and he could not improved upon the mark in his subsequent five efforts. He had a series of 16.46m, 16.31m and 16.09m after his first effort while his last two attempts were foul jumps. Khotso Mokoena of South Africa won gold with a jump of 17.20m while Tosin Oke of Nigeria settled for silver with an effort of 16.84m. On his performance, Arpinder said, ‘It was good. The weather was not good. My coach was not here, so it wasn’t a very good performance. My next big championships are the Asian Games.’ India have bagged three medals from athletics, including one gold by Vikas Gowda in discus throw and silver by Seema Poonia in women’s discus throw.