Asian Athletics Championships: Down with Covid in March, Shaili Singh overcomes aftereffects to win long jump silver

Prodigious teen jumper Shaili Singh bagged a silver at the Asian Championships, her first senior major international championships, in Bangkok with a best leap of 6.54m.The 19-year-old long jumper came up with 6.54m in her very first attempt to take the lead momentarily after it was snatched her Japanese competitor Sumire Hata, who came up with a 6.74m jump in the fourth round. Hata, nine years senior to Shaili, came up with a massive world-class 6.97m jump in the final round, more than 20cm better than her previous best.For Shaili, the silver medal comes as a huge relief after she was down with Covid early into the season in March. It was the second time the Jhansi-born athlete contracted Covid but unlike the last occasion, it took a toll on the teenager’s health.

.@Shailisingh012 wins her 1⃣st Senior 🎖️for 🇮🇳 at the Asian Athletics Championships
The #TOPSchemeAthlete produced a Jump of 6.54m in Women’s Long Jump Final Event to finish 2⃣nd & win 🥈
Well done Girl! Many Congratulations 🥳👏 pic.twitter.com/L6lF1jE1VA
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) July 14, 2023
“I was down with Covid for a month. But my fitness is better now. I will work on it further as soon as I get back to training. This is my first Asian Championships medal and I think it’s a good achievement at this age. I hope to do better in the upcoming competitions. I am really happy with the medal,” Shaili said during a post-event interaction organised the Athletics Federation of India.
The six kilos she lost during Covid took her back to the body weight she had four years ago.
Since Shaili was already lean and fit, the weight she lost was entirely muscle mass, leaving her extremely weak and drained. Shaili is yet to regain full fitness and that is her coach Robert Bob George’s main concern leading to the Asian Games slated for September.
“I was very weak and had to skip the junior Federation Cup. I still have some breathing issues and my body is not fully fit but I will work on it,” she added.
Coach Bob was pleased with Shaili’s silver medal but wasn’t entirely content with his trainee’s performance. He believes a 6.70m plus jump was possible if Shaili had a better rhythm.
“She had the aggression but she lacked the rhythm. The weather was also really hot but that’s not an excuse. She lacked rhythm because her muscles are still a little weak. But this is a good performance. People have really high expectations from her but they forget that she is still a child. To win an Asian medal in such a highly technical event is not easy,” said Bob.
With Shaili targeting a podium finish at the Asian Games, Bob will now work on helping her regain her power. That means a lot of time in the gym, plyometric exercises (pushups, throwing, running, jumping, and kicking) and a tailor-made protein-rich diet.
“I will have at least three special power sessions with Shaili now. We need to regain the lost muscles. The idea is to gradually build and not push her. Athletes are like plants, you have to give them time to grow,” Bob puts it philosophically.
Even the legendary Anju, who was also coached Bob, was 28 when she bagged her first Asian Championships medal.
Bob has never shied away from showering praises on young Shaili. He feels it is only a matter of time before Shaili will surpass Anju’s national record of 6.82m. “Give her a few years. She will become a mature and complete athlete the time she turns 22. She is a rare natural talent and will consently jump 7m plus when she reaches her peak,” said Bob.

Parul Chaudhary grabs another🥇for 🇮🇳 at the Asian Athletics Championships 🥳
The NCOE @SAI_Bengaluru camper clocked a time of 9:38.76 in Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Final to mark this feat.
Keep shining Parul! More power to you💪🏻👏 pic.twitter.com/O1U9YJxGN6
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) July 14, 2023
Parul and Toor win golds
Asian record holder shot putter Tajinder Toor retained his Championship crown with a best throw of 20.23m. The Punjab athlete was the only thrower to breach the 20m mark in Bangkok. After sealing the gold in the second attempt, Toor looked in discomfort and did not go through with the rest of the attempts.

Asian Record Holder @Tajinder_Singh3 becomes the latest entrant of 🇮🇳’s Gold Medal Club at the Asian Athletics Championships 2023 🥳
The #TOPSchemeAthlete produced a throw of 20.23m in Men’s Shot Put Final Event & secured 🥇for 🇮🇳
Well done Champion! Keep making 🇮🇳 proud 🥳👏 pic.twitter.com/KGp3SkFQzA
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) July 14, 2023
His chronic groin injury resurfaced. “When I reached Bangkok I felt the strain and after the second attempt it got aggravated. As soon as I am back I will get it examined, it should get healed in 10 days,” he said.
Steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary dominated the field winning the gold with an impressive 9:38.76s on the clock. She finished almost six seconds ahead of the silver medall from China Xu Shuangshuang.