KARACHI: Bushra Parveen, Pakistan’s athletics coach accompany the two-person squad in London, believes that Rabia Ashiq’s chances of doing well in the 800m run depend on the kind of competition she faces in her heat.
After a disappointing finish by the 100m sprinter Liaqat Ali, the focus has shifted to Rabia who will be competing in the heat tomorrow. While the runner left for the Games with a target of breaking the national record (2:08:04), set by Parveen, the athlete’s personal best currently stands at 2:10:65 that she recorded at the Asian Grand Prix in May.
“Rabia’s performance will depend on her competitors as the competition level will give her extra motivation to do well,” Parveen told The Express Tribune before adding that the runner will need to control her nerves. “We thought Ali would do quite well but he disappointed us with a slow start, so I can’t predict anything. Rabia is very confident that she can set a new national record.”
The official stressed that the 800m runner has got plenty of time to get used to the conditions and the track compared to Ali and has a better chance of doing well.
Meanwhile, Rabia said that she has been training hard and was looking forward to the competition.
“My training has been good in London and I hope I do well in my event,” said Rabia.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 7th, 2012.
COMMENTS (7)
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To improve the national record she will have to run her own race and not get carried away and don't try to match pace earlier on with the very fast runners as that will be disastrous. I would advise her to study the other runners previous best times and run with the pack whose expected time is not faster than 2:05. Or if she wants to be faster than 2:08 than make sure that her first lap is not faster than 1:02 and not slower than 1:04. Don't be overly aggressive unless she is supremely confident and has proven it in training.
@Ross: It was disappointing because he was slower then his own personal best by full 0.35 secs. If he had improved his personal best of 10:55 he probably might qualify for next round and get one more race to enjoy!. In athletics and swimming getting a position in a heat may not mean anything as heats are arranged with athletes of similar speed. Athlete who won in Ali's heat did 10:55, so one can say that Ali was expected to win that heat. Looking at the video on can see that he had the better sprint from most of them but had a slow start. But at the sametime we should understand that 100m is a touch and go event and anything can happen. Whats more important is that hopefully he has learned something new while he was there and utilize to improve to next level and do better in the regional competition and therefore make his contribution in improvement of overall competition in pakistan.
Good Luck Rabia. I hope we have better coaching facilities to have higher hopes.
Calling Liaqat Ali's performance in 100m sprint "disappointing" is not fair. He came fourth in that heat. This should be applauded as with little training and coaching he still managed to beat four sprinters.
All the best!
Best of luck. We love you - win or lose. Enjoy the experience. Do well.
Best of luck!