Indian discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur qualifies for final in Tokyo Olympics

Tokyo: India's national record holder Kamalpreet Kaur booked her place in the final of the women’s discus throw event at the Tokyo Olympics, here on Saturday.

Making her debut at the Olympics, the 25-year-old Kamalpreet breached the direct qualification mark of 64 metres in her third attempt to make it to the medal round.

Notably, Kaur and Valarie Allman of the US were the only two athletes among 31, who managed to cross the 64-metre barrier in the qualifying round.

While Valarie topped the qualifying round with a throw of 66.42 metres, Kamalpreet was second with her effort of 64 metres. Croatia’s Sandra Perkovi? came in third with a throw of 63.75 metres.

Since only 12 athletes qualify for the final and with just two throwers managing to breach the direct qualification mark, the other 10 qualifications were decided based on their best attempts in the field.

Veteran Seema Punia, however failed to make it to the medal round after finishing 16th in the qualifying stages.

Four-time Olympian Seema’s best throw was measured at 60.57 metres. Her first attempt was a foul and her last measured 58.93m.(UNI)