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Rajiv Balakrishnan fastest man in India

US-based software engineer Rajiv Balakrishnan confirmed that he is the fastest Indian over 100 metres, when he clinched the event clocking 10.43 seconds, bettering his own national mark of 10.50 seconds set in Delhi in 1997.

Taking part in the Indian Oil-Servo Federation Cup athletics meet at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Balakrishnan however fell fractionally short of his own personal best of 10.39, set during a recent amateur athletics meet in the US of A.

The ongoing athletics meet, seen as trials for selection of the Indian team for the forthcoming Asian Track and Field Meet to be held in Fukoka, saw Rajiv demonstrating his explosive finishing, after lagging behind thanks to a bad start. In fact, the winner trailed Amit Khanna over the first 70 metres, struggling to recover from a slow start off the blocks, before surging ahead to pip his rival at the tape.

"I wanted to qualify so I could run for India in the ATF meet, and I have achieved that," Rajiv told the media later. "Now I will concentrate on reaching top speed for the championships."

The erstwhile Payyoli Express, P T Usha, meanwhile showed that she has no peer on the national scene -- or, to look at it another way, underlined the dearth of young talent in the country -- when she won the 100 meters with a timing of 11.51 seconds, a new meet record. Usha in fact powered into the lead around the three-quarter mark, finishing a good stride ahead of the rest. However, her effort was short of the qualifying mark for the event, and therefore no Indian woman will run in that section at Fukuoka.

Then again, maybe not -- Usha has qualified for the 200 meters, which means she has booked her passage. Indications are therefore that she may be allowed to represent the country over the shorter distance, as well.