Kamalpreet was only the second among 31 athletes to secure direct qualification.
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Kamalpreet Kaur gave a stellar performance at the qualification round of discus throw at the Tokyo Olympics. The 25-year-old from Punjab had a throw-in of 64 meters, ensuring she directly qualifies for the finals. She was only the second among 31 athletes to secure direct qualification. Kaur’s first attempt was at 60.29m but significantly improved in the second, scoring 63.97.
With a reassuring nod from the official, her coach became more satisfied and knew the final attempt by Kaur would be a miraculous one, and it was– breaching the 64-meter mark. Needless to say, it wasn’t anything short of near perfection. Kamalpreet Kaur finished second behind USA’s Valarie Allman who threw the discus a whopping 66.42 meters far. Both the athletes from this Pool have received direct qualification to the finals.
Kaur had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 65.06 meters during the Athletics Federation Cup earlier this year. Her career-best came at the Indian Grand Prix in June, throwing a 66.59m.
If Kaur is in the best form of her career, and is able to achieve her personal best mark, she would be able to make a podium finish. If Kaur finishes top 3, she would become the first Indian female to win a medal in athletics at the Olympics. Kaur is hopeful of securing glory and will aim to go past her personal best in Tokyo.
Speaking to PTI she said, “I was feeling nervous before the throw. But after the first attempt, I felt better. By the third throw, I was confident and that is why I touched 64m. I think I will be confident during the final. I feel I can better my personal best (66.59m at Indian GP4 in June) and win a medal for the country. That is my sole target now.”
