European C'ship: Tintu Luka grabs gold

India's ace 800m runner Tintu Luka's wait to qualify for London Olympics continued even as she won her second gold medal in four days on the European circuit.

Luka, legendary P T Usha's protege, won her second consecutive gold this week by clocking 2.03.62 at the rain-hit Amsterdam Open Athletics meet.

Yet again, Luka was way behind her national record of 1:59.17 but her effort was good enough to fetch her gold and a cash award of 250 Euro.

She was followed by American Bethany Praska (2.05.01) and Israeli Ali Goldfarb (2.17.77) in second and third places.

Luka, who had won gold at Karlstad Grand Prix in Sweden with an effort of 2:02.58 on August 2, is yet to cross the London Olympics qualifying 'B' standard of 2:01.30.

She has already qualified for the World Championships to be held at Daegu, South Korea from August 27 to September 4.

Also ending on the podium was Ghamanda Ram, who won silver in men's 800m final with a timing of 1:48.69sec. He had finished fifth at Karlstad with a timing of 1:47.25.

The gold was captured by Trinidad's Jamaal James (1.48.71) and bronze went to Halit Kilic (1.49.96).

The World Championships and London Olympics 'B' qualifying standard for men's 800m race is 1:46.30.