Even though Gulveer Singh clocked 13:52.92, well outside the Asian Games qualifying mark of 13:39.18, to win the men’s 5,000m at the National inter-State athletics meet at the Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday, he may still stand a chance of being picked for the 5,000m and 10,000m races.

Since the Athletics Federation of India selection committee will take the final decision, Gulveer has a good chance to get picked on the basis of his consistent performances.

The 28-year-old Gulveer, the 10,000m bronze medallist in the last Asiad and the 5,000m and 10,000m gold medallist in the Asian championships, had issues in acclimatising after landing here from a six-month training stint in the USA.

“I used to wake up at 2 o’clock in the night. I have gotten used to it (the time zone), about 50 per cent now,” said Gulveer after finishing his first race in India this season.

“I am not satisfied with the time. It’s hot. The track is new, it’s not gripping well and is bouncy.”

Gulveer, the National record holder in 5,000m and 10,000m, wants to retain his focus on his training, despite the pressure of expectations, and follow his coach Scott Simmons’ advice. 

“I have to take pressure. We are doing our best. God knows what will happen in the future. I am focusing on my training. We are not thinking too much,” said Gulveer, who is eyeing a good time in the 1,500m in an attempt to make his finishes faster. He is focusing on his speed work after a disappointing outing in the Tokyo World Championships.

While planning to compete in two major events, the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, this season, Gulveer relies on Simmons. “I communicate with my coach after the events. He will decide how to go about it,” said Gulveer.

Animesh Kujur and Gurindervir Singh lowered the National 100m record twice, while Asian Games silver medallist long jumper Ancy Sojan rewrote the meet record on the opening day of the Federation athletics meet at the Birsa Munda Stadium (Morabadi) on Friday.

In the conducive evening session, Gurindervir clocked 10.17 to break Kujur’s National record in the semifinals. Within minutes, displaying healthy rivalry, Kujur dashed to regain his record with a mark of 10.15 and attained the Commonwealth Games qualifying mark.

Ancy and her close rival Shaili Singh also exhibited another fine episode of rivalry. Responding to Shaili’s first jump of 6.38m, Ancy logged 6.47 before consistently achieving five 6.5m-plus jumps, including her fourth (6.75m) to erase Shaili’s meet record (6.64m) and win the gold with her personal best. However, she fell short of the CWG qualifying mark by nine cm.

“My first target was to perform without a jump foul. I aim for the Commonwealth (qualification mark),” said Ancy.

Deepak Bhatt ran a well-planned race, going into the lead in the last 70m, to claim his maiden 10,000m title.

Bihar’s Vibhaskar Kumar recorded a stunning 10.36 in the men’s 100m heats and qualified for the Asian under-23 championships.

In the decathlon high jump event, Tejaswin Shankar achieved 2.25m to surpass the CWG mark (2.22m).

The results (finals): Men: 10000m (CWG Q mark 27:39.03): 1. Deepak Bhatt (Utk) 29:42.93, 2. Sailesh Kushwaha (Kar) 29:57.56, 3. Prashant Choudhary (UP) 30:36.97.

Hammer throw (CWG Q mark 73.09m): 1. Ashish Jakhar (SSCB) 68.52m, 2. Damneet Singh (Rel.) 67.62m, 3. Ajay Kumar (Har) 64.93m.

3000m steeplechase (CWG Q mark 8:30.26): 1. Balkishan (Har) 8:56.01, 2. Sharuk Khan (UP) 8:56.63, 3. Sunil Joliya Jinabhai (Guj) 8:58.38.

Women: 10000m (CWG Q mark 31:14.14): 1. Ravina Gayakwad (Mah) 35:40.98, 2. Soniya (Utk) 36:16.22, 3. Aarti Pawara (Mah) 36:24.79.

Long jump (CWG Q mark 6.84m): 1. Ancy Sojan (Navy) 6.75m (MR, Old 6.64, Shaili Singh, 2025), 2. Shaili Singh (Anju Bobby George Academy) 6.58m, 3. Bhavani Yadav (NCOE Bengaluru) 6.39m.

3000m steeplechase (CWG Q mark 9:27.41): 1. Ankita Dhyani (Utk) 9:48.16, 2. Prachi Devkar (IOCL) 10:16.29, 3. Anju (Har) 10:28.23.

Discus (CWG Q mark 56.85m): 1. Seema (JSW) 57.29m, 2. Nidhi Rani (Har) 55.05m, 3. Krishna Jayasankar (Rel.) 55.00m.