Ace Indian long jumper Anju B George's quest for a medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics received a boost when she emerged victorious on Sunday, in a competition in the United States, where she is training under world long jump record holder Mike Powell.
Anju cleared 6.47 metres in her fourth attempt, while Pamela Simpson (6.44 m) and Heathex Sterlin (6.30 m) of the US finished second and third respectively in the championship, held at Madesto, North California.
The championship is Anju's first in the US this year.
Anju reached California last month to train under Powell, who is a coach attached to California University.
The first phase of training will be for a six-month period and the coaching would continue till the 2004 Olympics.
An Asian Games gold medallist and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Anju was the only Asian woman athlete to qualify for the World indoor athletic meet in Birmingham early this year and is presently ranked 13th in the world with a jump of 6.74 metres.