Koju sets new national record

GUANGZHOU, Nov 26: Nepali Middle distance runner Kanchhi Maya Koju set a new national women´s 5000 meter record on Friday during the ongoing 16th Asian Games (Asiad) in Guangzhou, China.



Koju completed the race in the 11th position among 12 runners. [break]She, however, bettered her own national record clocking 16 minute 49.98 seconds in Guangzhou.



Koju had the previous national record of 16 minutes 55.07 seconds that she set during the 10th South Asian Games (SAG) in 2006.



This was Koju´s international comeback as she had been serving a ban imposed by Nepal Amateur Athletics Association (NAAA) after her self-imposed hibernation in Japan during the World Athletics Championship in 2007. NAAA had lifted the ban earlier this year after she admitted her fault and apologized for it.



Bahrain´s Mimi Belete Gebregeiorges won the gold in the event with the timing of 15 minutes 15.59 seconds while Preeja Sreedharan and Kavita Raut, both of India, claimed silver and bronze medal respectively.



Coach Pushpa Raj Ojha was satisfied with Koju´s performance. "She was doing well in the training sessions and she is progressing day after day. It is good to see her improve in such a tough competition," said Ojha.



Koju was happy to set a new national record. "I was not expecting medal here. I was focused to better my timing. If I could better it in coming days, I can win medals in the South Asian Games," Koju said.

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