Bhubaneswar: India’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallist in men’s long jump, Murali Sreeshankar, exuded confidence of setting a personal best at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium which is the venue for the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Level meet this Saturday in Odisha.

The World Athletics Continental Tour will act as a good preparatory for next month’s Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, he said during media interaction in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. “The competition will give me a chance to compete with the best in the business,” he added.

Several athletes whose global ranking is below 50 will be seen in action during One-Day prize money World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Level. Apart from Sreeshankar, national record holder in women’s long jump Ancy Sohan, two-time Asian Games champion in men’s shot put Tajinderpal Singh Toor and javelin thrower Rohit Yadav will be other prominent athletes who have confirmed their entries.

In men and women’s 100m dash more than 10 athletes have confirmed their entries. “There will be 100m A and B races in both men and women’s category,” reveals Dr Lalit K Bhanot. “The men’s 400m also has 19 entries.”

More than 180 athletes from as many as 25 nations from across the globe will be seen in action in the One-Day competition on Saturday. Hosts India is fielding a big contingent of 90 athletes.

“The World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Level meeting will be a good chance for athletics fans to see top athletes in action here at the Kalinga Stadium,” said Odisha’s Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.
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