Tokyo: Producing one of the best performances by an Indian in the Olympics, though in a qualifying round, India's discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur got qualified for the Tokyo Olympics finals on Saturday after finishing second in the women's discus throw qualifying round at Olympic Stadium.
The 25-year-old Kaur, competing in qualification B, sent the discus to a distance of 64m in her third and final attempt to be one of the only two automatic qualifiers for the final round, the other being American Valarie Allman (66.42m).
Kamalpreet Kaur's best throw of 64m was better than two-time Olympic champion Sandra Perkovic's best throw of 63.75m. Notably, Kamalpreet had set the new national record earlier this year with a best throw of 66.59 m, which is the 6th best throw in the world in 2021.
The final of Women's Discus Throw will be held on August 2.
Playing in her maiden Olympics, Kamalpreet threw her first attempt at 60.29 and improved massively by 63.97 on her second. But it was her third attempt that secured her automatic qualification in the 15 players' field in Group B.
Kamalpreet is an Indian Railways employee and represents them in the national circuit. She's one of the circuit's most improved athletes. Her personal best was close to 62m before her 65.06m throw at the Federation Cup in March, which beat Krishna Poonia's 64.76m national record despite not having regular access to grounds due to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Kamalpreet's compatriot and veteran athlete Seema Punia failed to qualify for the finals.
Punia, who had booked a last-minute Olympics berth, was way below her season and personal best marks.
She fouled her first throw and had 60.57m and 58.93m in her next two attempts to exit what would be her last Olympics.