Shaili Singh claims podium finish and records second-best jump at Seiko Grand Prix

Shaili Singh, a promising 19-year-old athlete from India, displayed her talent and potential by securing a podium finish and recording her second-best jump at the Seiko Grand Prix held in Japan on May 21.

Competing in the women's Long Jump event, Shaili leaped an impressive distance of 6.65m, earning her the third spot in the competition. Although her best attempt came in the opening series, it was unfortunately deemed invalid due to a wind reading above the permissible limits (+2.1m/s).

Nonetheless, this remarkable jump still stands as the second-best performance by an Indian woman in an overseas competition, with the first being achieved by her coach, Anju Bobby George.

Shaili's series of jumps during the event included distances of 6.65m, 6.59m, 6.35m, 6.35m, 6.36m, and 6.41m. Notably, two of her six attempts surpassed the 6.50m mark, and her second attempt, measuring 6.65m, currently holds the position of her second-best jump.

Before this event, Shaili Singh had recorded a personal best of 6.76m at the Indian Grand Prix 4, which took place at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. This outstanding achievement had occurred just a month before the Seiko Grand Prix.

The first-place finish in the women's Long Jump event at the Seiko Grand Prix was secured by Maryse Luzolo, a Tokyo Olympian from Germany, who achieved a best attempt of 6.79m. Despite inconsistent readings throughout her series of jumps (5.58m, 6.19m, 5.84m, 6.68m, 6.79m, and 6.26m), Luzolo delivered an exceptional performance when it mattered most.

Brooke Buschkuel, representing Australia, initially surpassed Shaili Singh with a jump of 6.65m in her fourth attempt but ultimately finished in second place with a best effort of 6.77m, falling short of the top spot by a mere 0.02m.

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Impressive season start for Shaili Singh: Rising star shines in athletics

Shaili's commendable performances in the 2023 season have showcased her potential as a rising star in the athletics world. She has achieved top-three finishes in two out of the three events she has participated in so far. Her season began with a fifth-place finish at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships held in February.

Following a break of several months, she set a new personal best mark of 6.76m at the IGP 4. Her third-place finish at the Seiko Grand Prix will undoubtedly contribute to her ranking points and elevate her position in the overall rankings.

Under the guidance of her coach, Robert Bobby George, the husband of the renowned long jumper Anju George, Shaili has made significant strides in her career.

Her personal best jump of 6.76m in April 2023 at the Indian Grand Prix in Bengaluru not only placed her as the second-best Indian long jumper of all time, just behind Anju but also established her as the world leader in outdoor competitions for the season.

Shaili Singh's talent was first recognized when Anju George, scouting talent during a national athletics event, discovered her in Jhansi, Vijayawada. Since then, Shaili has been hailed as the heir apparent to Anju's legacy. Her previous accomplishments include winning a bronze medal with a jump of 6.59m at the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2021.