Joseph, Krishna shine on day 4

Guangzhou (China): Joseph Abraham claimed a silver in men`s 400m hurdle and Krishna Poonia won a bronze in women`s Discus Throw event as Indian medal tally swelled to nine on day four of the 18th Asian Athletics Championships

here today. Abraham, who clocked 49.96s, was followed by Al Nobi Mubarak (50.19) of Qatar while Japanese Kenji Narisako clinched the gold (49.22) in the discipline. Poonia managed a distance of 59.84m, way behind second positioned Ma Xue Jun (63.63) of China and gold medal winner Song Ai Min (63.90m), also of China. India`s Harwant Kaur finish fifth with an effort of 53.83m. India so far have won one gold, two silver and six bronze medals in the championship and figures in the fourth spot in the medal tally. Among others in fray, Bhartinder Singh finished fourth with 6932 points in Decathlon, Hari Shankar Roy (2.10m) finished 11th in men`s high jump and Renjith Maheswary (16.48m) finished fourth in men`s triple jump. Tintu Lukka finished sixth after clocking 2:07.61 in the women`s 800m while Shishpal Prakash Verma clocked 1.49.01 to finish fourth in men`s 800m category. Churchill were reduced to ten men in the 51st minute when Nascimento Silveira got the marching orders from referee Mohammed Kamil for hitting rival Jayant Sen on the face. The visitors, however, failed to take advantage of the situation and even allowed Churchill to increase the lead in the 65th minute. Defender Robert Lalthlamuana gave a diagonal pass to Okolie, who took rival defenders Arnab Mondal and Edwardo Chacon in his stride and essayed the second goal and earn the man of the match award. The visitors had the last chance to pull one back in the dying minutes but Lalawmpuia`s shot sailed inches over the bar. Bureau Report