Seema Punia's best throw was registered at 60.57m; defending champions Sandra Perkovic finished on top of Group A qualifiers.
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India’s Seema Punia finished sixth in the women’s discus throw Group A qualifiers at Tokyo Olympics 2020 with her best throw of 60.57m. (Tokyo 2020 coverage)
Meanwhile Croatia’s Sandra Perkovic registered the best throw of 63.75. She was followed by Germany’s Kristin Pudenz (63.73m). Jamaica’s Shadae Lawrence (62.27) placed at second and third spot respectively.
The automatic qualification mark was set at 64m. But none of the throwers in Group A could touch that mark. Therefore, the top 12 from the two groups combined would go through to the finals.
However, she only finished 16th best among both groups, meaning this is the end of her campaign.
Seema’s best throw at Olympics was registered in London, 2012 when she threw 61.91m, which placed her at 13th position.
Meanwhile the other Indian discus thrower Kamalpreet Singh is placed in Group B and will be in action today. The 25-year-old holds the national record at 66.59m.
Cuba’s Denia Caballero, who had won the bronze medal at Rio Olympics 2016, finished 9th in the Group A qualifiers. Thus she will not make it to the finals.
Meanwhile, Olympic silver medalist five years ago, France’s Melina Michon is placed fifth with her best throw of 60.88. That is is just 0.31m more than Seema Punia.
2016 Rio Olympics women’s discus throw champion Perkovic has ensured her qualification to the finals with the best throw of Group A.
The Tokyo Olympics, which was delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is now up and running. The Games have not been without their share of controversies, however.
The event is happening despite plenty of protests from the Japanese people against it. And the angst is not without reason. Tokyo is currently in a state of emergency due to a rise in COVID cases.
The Games will by and large be played out in the absence of fans, always a major psychological blow to athletes. There’s also been a number of cases reported in the Olympic village itself.
Nevertheless, the Games remain an event that many around the world will be keen to watch. From July 23 to August 8, many will be hooked onto their televisions to follow the events.
India have currently won one medal thanks to Mirabai Chanu. Pooja Rani is also guaranteed a medal in boxing.
