India’s Kamalpreet Kaur produced one of the best performances by an Indian in the Olympics, though in a qualifying round, to enter the final of the women discus throw at the ongoing Games after finishing second on Saturday.
The 25-year-old from Punjab, competing in qualification B, hurled the disc to a distance of 64 metres in her third and final attempt to finish the round as one of the only two automatic qualifiers for the finals. The other was Valarie Allman of the United States, who had an effort of 66.42 metres.
The final is on August 2.
Kaur placed ahead of defending gold-medallist Sandra Perkovic (63.75m) of Croatia and reigning World champion Yaime Perez (63.18) of Cuba.
Kaur began with a 60.29m effort and then improved it to 63.97m before her third throw of 64m. Every competitor gets three throws.
Those who attain 64 metres, or emerge among the 12 best performers, in the two qualifying round advance to the final.
Kaur was in impressive form this year, having breached the 65m mark twice. She threw 65.06m during the Federation Cup in March to break the National record and become the first Indian to breach the 65m mark.
