New Delhi, Sept 03: Long jumper Anju Bobby George, who created history by winning India's first ever medal in the world athletics championships in Paris last week, has moved up two places to a career high number six in the latest world ranking list. Anju, who won the bronze with a season best effort of 6.70m behind France's Eunice Barber and Russia's Tatyana Kotova, has 1224 points. Kotova, meanwhile, took over the top spot from Brazilian Maureen Higa Maggi, who missed the world meet in Paris, with 1322 points.
Maggi is placed second with 1291 points, according to the rankings released by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The upward climb for the 25-year-old Anju from her No. 8 position in the last list a fortnight back also ensured the Asian Games gold medallist an automatic place in the world athletics final in Monaco on September 13 and 14. Athletes ranked in the top seven positions get a direct entry.
The new list also saw Paris gold medal winner Barber break into the top 10 for the first time. Ranked a modest No. 27 before the world championships, the Frenchwoman leapfrogged to No. 8 in the new list. Bureau Report