CHENNAI: Barely two months after setting the U-18 national record, Tamil Nadu’s Neil Samraj raised the bar once again, rewriting his own mark with 10.45 seconds in the boys 100m at the National Junior Athletics Championships here on Friday.The Coimbatore boy surpassed his own NR by 0.01 second to win gold, but once again he missed his “aim” of going sub-10.40 seconds. “I was expecting a better performance and definitely before the season ends, I will break the 10.40s barrier. There is Khelo India (Youth Games) and All-India Inter University meets later this year and I will get it done there,” Neil said after the race.Neil’s coach Velmurugan has played a significant role in his development. “We have started focusing in the senior category, and from next season, Neil will compete in the senior section. We are working towards that,” Velmurugan said.Neil’s time was better than that of the 100m winner in men’s U-20 section. Savin Thingalaya, who ran under protest after a false start, had won the race but was later disqualified. P Chiranth’s (10.46s) silver was upgraded to gold.Abinaya surpasses meet record: Asian Games bronze medalist Abinaya Rajarajan from TN breached the meet record at 11.49 seconds in women’s U-20 100m. Abinaya suffered a hamstring injury at the Asiad and could not compete in the final of mixed relay. On Friday, she looked at ease while comfortably crossing the finish line, and was followed by Kajal Raja of Gujarat (11.61s).The ongoing nationals will be the final competition for Abinaya in juniors, and she will look to add one more medal to her kitty and end the season in style at her home venue. Meanwhile, TN added one more gold to their kitty, thanks to T Mrithika (11.71s) in girls U-18 100m.In the field events, the women’s U-16 javelin throw competition saw a new national record. Minakshi of Haryana came first, setting the NR of 54.40m
