Luka fails to build on lead, leaves coach in tears

India's medal hope in the women's 800m in Tintu Luka came crashing down on Monday.Such was the disappointment that it left her coach PT Usha in tears. Luka finished sixth.

Updated on: Oct 11, 2010, 23:29:47 IST

Hindustan Times | By Anonymous, New Delhi

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India's medal hope in the women's 800m in Tintu Luka came crashing down on Monday.Such was the disappointment that it left her coach PT Usha in tears. Luka finished sixth.

The 15-year-old made a blistering start leading in the first lap as cheers and whistles filled the stadium. But with only 200m left, Luka could not keep up her tempo and fell back. Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand and Canada's Diane Cummins took the lead and eventually finished with the silver and bronze medals respectively.

Usha was evidently disappointed after the race. "She did not run as per the plan and that is why she lost. Her inexperience, maybe nervousness and the pressure of expectations let her down. This was an easy race and she could have done it easily. Even her competitors were not in their best form," she
said.

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