Steeplechase runner Sudha bags Olympic berth

Huelva (Spain) - India’s long distance runner Sudha Singh, an Asian Games gold medalist, has qualified for the 2012 London Games, breaking her own 3,000m steeple chase national record in the VIII Meeting, Iberoamericano de Atletismo here.

Sudha Thursday qualified with a timing of 9:47.70 secs to break her national record of 9:49.25 secs set at the Shanghai Diamond League last month, a statement from the Athletics Federation of India said.

‘I am relieved to qualify for the Olympics. But its not the end, in fact its a start to further improve performance leading to the Olympic Games,’ Sudha, who hails from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, was quoted as saying.

An employee of Indian Railways, Sudha has been training with Italian coach Claudio Berardelli since 2011 and is mentored by Gabriel Rosa, a world renowned long distance coach.

Claudio was impressed with Sudha’s performance.

‘Sudha has shown an excellent improvement and dedication in her training. She is highly motivated,’ said Claudio.