LEAPS AND MILESTONES

May 31 was an extraordinary day for Krishna Jayasankar; she became the first Indian discus and shot put thrower to qualify for the United States' National Collegiate Athletics Association's (NCAA) outdoor athletics championships, set to take place in Eugene on June 11.

- CHANDRA PRABHU

With a throw of 55.61m in the Western Conference discus throw qualifiers at Austin, Texas, last week, Krishna also broke a 26-year-old school record at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

"During the warm-ups, I did not think that I would reach that mark (55.61m). But the first throw came out really well," she told this daily from the US, recalling the unexpected day. It was no mean feat for Krishna, considering she had just come off a calf injury. Her injury lay-offs also cost her a chance last year. "This is my final outdoor season. And to seize that opportunity to participate in the highest collegiate levels — it is a special feeling," she added.