Commonwealth Games: Mangalorean high-jumper Sahana Kumari jumps into the finals

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 31, 2014: Sahana Nagaraj Gobbargumpi popularly known as Sahana Kumari, the national record-holder, was a lucky qualifier in the women’s high jump, despite failing to clear the qualifying height of 1.88m in the 20th Commonwealth Games at Glasgow. In fact, none of the 12 who were eventually picked for Friday’s final cleared this height. Sahana Kumari qualified for the final of women’s high jump after finishing seventh in the qualifying round with a below par effort of 1.81m.

 

The best was 1.85. Sahana, who began by clearing a height of 1.66m, cleared the next three - 1.71, 1.76 and 1.81 on her first attempt.

Sahana Kumari who hails from Someshwar near Ullal in Mangalore is a National Record holder in high jump by scaling a height of  1.92 meters. She has also won medals in several state and national level events, but  could not live upto expectations in the London Olympics.

Sahana who had her initial schooling at Anandashrama  School in Someshwar, later studied at Sri Gokarnanatheshwara College in Mangalore. Sahana created a new record at the university level in high jump  and again at the All India Inter University Level Sports Meet.

Sahana Kumari also won gold in the women’s high jump in the 79th Railways Athletics Championships.