Tokyo Olympics 2021 Day 10 Highlights: Kamalpreet Kaur finishes 6th in women’s discus throw finals

Indian shooters may not have achieved what they had set out to in the Tokyo Olympics but one Indian has had a hand in three medals won at the Games by marksmen from two countries. The one common thing about the USA's William Shaner and Lucas Kozeniesky, and Serbian Milenko Sebic, is that all these three shooters had taken part in various online tournaments organised by former India rifleman Shimon Sharif. He had conceptualised the event when the COVID-19 lockdown was in force last year. (From PTI)

China’s women broke their own team sprint world record with a time of 31.804 seconds to beat Lithuania in the first round at the Olympics on Monday.

For bronze medal, Anthony Ginting of Indonesia overcame  Kevin Cordon of Guatemala  21-11 21-13. Cordon, 34, has been competing in Olympics since 2008 Beijing Games when he became the first ever Guatemalan to participate in Olympic Games. In Beijing, he finished in the Round of 32 while in 2012 London Games he lost in the round of 16. In the last edition at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, an injury  forced him to quit in the earlier round. The fourth place finish at Tokyo Games is his best show In his career

Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands started her bid to win three medals at the Tokyo Games by earning gold in the 5,000 meters. Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen won gold in men’s singles badminton, denying a repeat title to China’s Chen Long in convincing fashion, 2-0 on Monday night.

Indian equestrian Fouaad Mirza, who advanced to jumping finals of individual eventing at the Olympics, finished 23rd in the final of Jumping (Individual) event. 

So it is USA's Valarie Allman who won the gold medal with a monster throw of 68.98m. Germany's Kristin Pudenz win the silver with a throw of 66.86m. Cuba's Yaime Perez bags bronze with 65.72m. India's Kamalpreet Kaur is 6th with 63.70m. It looks like sixth position is India’s best finish in the women's discus throw event at the Olympics. In 2012 London Games,  Krishna Poonia finished 6th with the best throws of 63.62m. And today at Tokyo Games, Kamal too  finished sixth with a best throw of 63.70m

And it is a disappointment for her because the throw lands outside the area and that means it is a foul. She will finish at 6th with a best throw of 63.70m in the finals.

India's Kamalpreet Kaur comes up with a 61.37m throw in her fifth attempt. She is still 6th in the standings.

Kamalpreet Kaur's attempts so far:-

1st attempt: 61.62m 
2nd attempt: No mark 
3rd attempt: 63.70m 
4th attempt: No mark
5th attempt 61.37m

Kamalpreet Kaur's fourth attempt is a Foul. She is at number 6 as of now. End of four attempts. Kamalpreet Kaur needs to record 65.34 to hit the bronze medal mark and to do that she has two chances remaining!

Kamalpreet will throw in reverse order now and will be at no. 3. The Indian will get 3 more throws. To climb the podium, kamal will have to improve her personal best

Kamalpreet Kaur with an attempt of 63.70m. She is now at sixth.

The warm-ups are done and it will be USA's Valarie Allman who begins and its a foul throw! Big Blow for Allman but is it the surface causing a problem? Let's see how the others fare. Sandra Perkovic of Croatia records 65.01. She jumps to number 4. Kamalpreet Kaur slides to 8th on the table.

Discus final begins again as the rain has come to a halt. The competition will restart soon and officials are toiling hard to dry the surface. Kamalpreet Kaur takes a warm-up throw, checking her balance. 

It's official: The Discus Throw final has been delayed due to weather & athletes have been allowed to leave the venue. The situation will be evaluated at 21:10 local time!

Fouaad Mirza finishes his final jump with 12.40 penalties. Aggregate score: 59.60. Meanwhile, it continues to rain heavily and it is highly unlikely for discus throw finals to resume. 

Fouaad Mirza and Seigneur Medicott are No.1 in starting order for Eventing individual jumping final. A total of 25 riders are competing. A total of 9 obstacles to jump over. Catch them LIVE at 5:15 pm!

In the women's discus throw final, Kamalpreet Kaur’s second attempt is a foul. She is now at 7th. However, the event comes to a halt because it's literally pouring in the stadium now

Slight drizzle in the stadium. This may cause slight discomfort for athletes, not only for the foot but also while gripping the disc. Looks like the circle is slippery, three more finalists foul. Official mopping the circle now. 

Relatives and friends have congregated at discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur’s house in village Kabarwala near Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab.

The red flag is up and that means Kamalpreet Kaur’s second attempt is a foul. She is now at 7th position. Remember the best so far is by USA' Valarie Allman - 68.98m

The key for Kamalpreet Kaur today would be to get close to her Personal Best. Portugal's Liliana register a throw of 63.93m in her second attempt and that means she is now third.

1. United States: Valarie Allman - 68.98m
2. Cuba: Yaime Perez - 65.72m
3. Germany: Kristin Pudenz - 63.07

Kamalpreet Kaur is in 6th with 61.62m.

61.62m from Kamalpreet Kaur in her first attempt. However, USA's Valarie Allman comes up next with a monster throw of 68.98 jumps to the top. Kamalpreet Kaur is at number 6.

China's Chen Yang is the first to go with a 61.57m throw in her first attempt. Double Olympic gold medallist from Croatia, Sandra Perkovic, begins with a throw of 62.53m. 

Top 10 from 12 countries. Discus throw final. Will Kamalpreet Kaur GET IT HOME? Nothing to lose!

Discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur produced one of the best performances by an Indian in the Olympics in the qualifying round to make it to the finals after finishing second. The 25-year-old Kaur, competing in qualification B, sent the discus to a distance of 64m in her third and final attempt. Will she bag a medal for India and end India's wait for an #Olympics medal in Athletics? The final will begins now.

Fouaad Mirza is through the next round. Mirza, the only Indian participating in the event, enters the final medal round. Equestrian Mirza qualifies for jumping final: Indian equestrian Fouaad Mirza on Monday advanced to jumping finals of individual eventing at the Olympics, managing to stay inside top-25 with his horse Seigneur Medicott on Monday.

Thank you for all the support and love. We will give everything again.
From: The Real Coach. ? https://t.co/TpKTMuFLxt

— Sjoerd Marijne (@SjoerdMarijne) August 2, 2021

Sport climbing’s Olympic debut will have an element of surprise. The key to the sport is strength, particularly in the fingers and arms, but there’s also a degree of problem-solving involved. So to keep the playing field (or wall) level, climbers won’t get a chance to see the wall in two of the three disciplines until right before their first attempt.

Great Britain's Tom McEwen leads now with 28.9 penalty points, Mirza and Micky are eighth now. They have to finish in top-25.

Fouaad Mirza completes the Jumping Round of Equestrian event and has 8 point penalties with a score of 47.20. This should be enough to stay in the Top 25 to qualify for the Jumping Final. He is currently at Rank 8/20

Mirza and Micky are currently sixth (47.2 penalty points); the leader is now France's Nicolas Touzaint with 33.9 penalty points.

'Kamalpreet Kaur’s parents have been swamped with calls after their daughter earned a sport in the discus throw event final. Her last and best throw of 64m earned the 25-year-old an automatic qualification for Monday’s final,' writes Andrew Amsan. | READ | 

The 25-year-old will be in action in the women's discus throw final from 4:30 PM today. Stay tuned!

Simone Biles is set to compete on balance beam at the Tokyo Olympics after pulling out of three individual event finals.

BREAKING: @Simone_Biles will compete in Tuesday's women's balance beam final on the last day of #artisticgymnastics competition at #Tokyo2020@TeamUSA @USAGym #StrongerTogetherhttps://t.co/x3T9JoYIuc

— Olympics (@Olympics) August 2, 2021

Fouaad Mirza knocks two fences to get 8pens.

He’s finishing on 47.2pens for @WeAreTeamIndia

Is it enough to qualify for the individual final? It’s a bit of a wait to find out! #Tokyo2020 #EquestrianEventing pic.twitter.com/kM0Ok2dNvb

— The FEI (@FEI_Global) August 2, 2021

Andrey Mittin of the Russian Olympic Committee leads with penalty points of just 92.10, Mirsolav Trunda of the Czech Republic is next with 101.70. After two more competitors, it will be time for Mirza and Micky, the nickname of Seigneur Medicott.

Back in 2003, when a young Savita Punia joined the Haryana government’s hockey nursery at Sirsa under coach Sunder Singh Kharab, she would often ferry her goalkeeper’s kit on Haryana Roadways buses from her village Jodhka. She would often complain to her father about bus conductors touching her kit with their feet or not letting her board due to the two kits. On Monday, the 30-year-old thwarted every Australian attack to help India register a 1-0 win and reach the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics. | READ |

Fouaad Mirza and his horse Seigneur Medicott are next in action in the equestrian eventing final qualification round from 1:30 PM. They are 22nd after two rounds. The top-25 qualify for the final event, which is scheduled to start from 5:15 PM today.

Raven Saunders delivered the first political demonstration on the podium at the #Tokyo2020 #Olympics when she crossed her arms in the shape of an “X” after receiving her silver medal in women's shot put.https://t.co/6FXrgAfZFT

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) August 2, 2021

- Just for perspective, we lost 1-6 to Australia in Rio 2016
-Gurjit Kaur converted India's first and only penalty corner, making the most of the golden opportunity for the Indian eves
- Seasoned goalkeeper Savita registered a 100% accuracy rate with 2/2 saves, keeping the Aussies at bay
- Midfielder Monika, the last defender against penalty corners cleared all the balls that came her way with a straight stick halt
-Experienced defenders Deep Grace Ekka and Udita stuck to man marking till the final hooter, denying the Aussies a chance to equalise
- Young forwards Salima Tete, Sharmila Devi and Lalremsiami kept the Australian defence frustrated with their inspired play and commendable tackles

Same Vibe Man ???????#Olympics2020 #hockeyindia #INDvsAUS #IndianHockey #IndiavsAustralia #ChakDeIndia #TokyoOlympics2020 #Girlpower pic.twitter.com/6eiFaCYnMz

— Ankit dutta (@ankitduttaon) August 2, 2021

Great Britain's Adam Peaty in an interview said that he will follow the footsteps of Simone Biles and Ben Stokes by prioritising mental health. "It is going to be a war of attrition over the next three years, we’ve got three major championships next season, and you’ll see people who are falling off, who go all the way through ISL and World Cups, by the time they get to Paris. You’re seeing it in all sports now. You’re seeing it with Simone Biles. You’re seeing it with Ben Stokes. Mental health matters and it is about getting the balance right at that elite level. We love to celebrate, and why shouldn’t we?” 

I’m taking a break because I’ve been going extremely hard for as long as I can remember. I’ve averaged 2 weeks off a year for the last 7 years.

Unfortunately there are people out there who think they know you more than you know yourself ??‍??

— Adam Peaty MBE (@adam_peaty) August 2, 2021

What hurts me very much that I couldn't stand to the expectations of my supporters, promoters & coaches. I would like to thank them for their support & feel sorry to disappoint you all.

— Dutee Chand (@DuteeChand) August 2, 2021

#TeamIndia served up one of the greatest moments in their #Olympics history when the women's #hockey team defeated favourites Australia 1-0 to advance to their first-ever semi-final at the #Tokyo2020.

READ: https://t.co/L0wC3tbCqe

PHOTOS: https://t.co/P79dwgZFtj pic.twitter.com/6fXQ94QhOD

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) August 2, 2021

India hockey women coach Sjoerd Marijne hailed Gurjit Kaur for India's only goal that saw them through to semifinals on Monday. "Everytime she does not score, she gets comments and criticism. I told her it only takes one goal to make a difference and she proved it today."

They'll not be gone for long. Be back on Wednesday #hockey #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/dTRb93C2Pz

— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) August 2, 2021

Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Sanjeev Rajput finish the qualification round at 20th and 32nd positions  with 1167 and 1157 points respectively, fail to qualify for men's 50m rifle three positions final. The top 8 shooters qualify for the final. 

India's opponents in hockey semifinals for both men and women are out:

Men: vs Belgium tomorrow
Women: vs Argentina on Wednesday

It's for real.
Indian men and women's team in #Olympics semifinals.
Men: vs Belgium tomorrow
Women: vs Argentina on Wednesday#hockey #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/5xSTRwItEM

— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) August 2, 2021

Competing in her third Olympics, Tai Tzu-ying finally stood atop the podium, finishing with a silver medal after going down to Chen Yufei of China in the final at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday. 'PV Sindhu held me in her arms and said she knows all about it,' Tai Tzu-ying wrote on her Instagram after failing to win the gold medal in women's singles.

#Tokyo2020 #Olympics

"PV Sindhu held me in her arms and said she knows all about it," Tai Tzu-ying wrote on her Instagram after failing to win the gold medal in women's #badminton singles on Sunday.https://t.co/WzVwYoQZzc

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) August 2, 2021

Camacho-Quinn stormed home in 12.37 seconds, comfortably ahead of rival Keni Harrison, to take gold in the women 100 m hurdles. And redeemed the setback she faced four years back in Rio. She broke down in her interview with BBC. 'Everyone knows what happened in the semifinals in Rio. I felt I would have medalled. I can't even explain what this means. First ever track gold for Puerto Rico and second ever gold.'

She had seemed set to qualify for the finals when Jasmine Camacho-Quinn tripped on the eight of the 10 hurdles , stumbling and crashing out in the semifinal in Rio. She was 19, then, living in US and choosing to represent Puerto Rica, the island from where her mother comes from. The Rio fall took its toll on her. 'It honestly took me the whole semester of school. I didn’t want to be on campus. I didn’t want to be around nobody because I’d rather that happen at a little meet than at the Olympics, I knew I had to wait four more years.l,' she wrote in spikes.worldathletics.org. 

“I felt embarrassed, like I let the whole country down, but I also received a lot of love. Everybody was so supportive and proud of me for making it, being so young and getting out there representing Puerto Rico ... My mom was really excited,” she says. “She wanted me to run for Puerto Rico because she never got to do it when she was younger. I wear it with pride.”

The island of Puerto Rico is neither an independent country nor a U.S. state. But Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. It's deemed as Commonwealth by US. The IOC recognises it as its own country for the purposes of Olympics. Her father is from South Carolina in US and her brother Robert plays in the NFL for Chicago Bears.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn brings home the second Olympic gold medal for Puerto Rico!!!!!!!! ???????? pic.twitter.com/MCRMRkPcj7

— PAOLETTE (@deviIette) August 2, 2021

'This is the real Chak De moment for Indian hockey. We should enjoy this. Live this moment.' @SjoerdMarijne #hockey #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/7LUorq1Fd8

— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) August 2, 2021

Sorry family , I coming again later ??? pic.twitter.com/h4uUTqx11F

— Sjoerd Marijne (@SjoerdMarijne) August 2, 2021

Indian women hockey team creates history by entering  semifinals after defeating three-time Olympic champion Australia 1-0 in the quarterfinals on Monday. Its for the first time that Indian women hockey team has qualified for Olympics semis.
Indians defended well with excellent turn overs and kept the pressure on the Aussies during the entire 60 minutes of play.

Indian women team was criticised for not using penalty corners in the match against Ireland when the could not convert even one from 14 PCs. On Monday, Gurjit Kaur converted one pc that came in 22nd minute of the match. In the last quarter, Aussies won penalty corner but Savita closed it out. The sports fraternity reacts on India's historic moment. Emotions are running high

Congrats to the Indian women’s hockey team. Incredible to beat mighty Australia 1-0 in the QF of the Olympics. So proud. Just for perspective, we lost 1-6 to Australia in Rio 2016. But today, our Indian women were sublime. Brave warriors!! #OLYMPICS #HOCKEY

— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) August 2, 2021

That was nerve-wracking but the girls are through to the semis in hockey at the Olympics for the first time ever! What a show of grit, courage and desire. Go on and win this completely ? #TeamIndia #Tokyo2020 #Hockey

— Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (@GurpreetGK) August 2, 2021

Wowowowowow ! #ChakDeIndia ?? ???????? #Hockey

— Parupalli Kashyap (@parupallik) August 2, 2021

Itni khushi shayad kisi jeet par mehsoos huyi hogi!
Absolute Wow moment. First ever Olympics hockey semi-finals for our girls. Filled with pride.
Chak De India #Hockey pic.twitter.com/c9I5KZFaZ5

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 2, 2021

THESE GIRLS HAVE DONE IT! THEY HAVE DONE THE UNTHINKABLE! ?

The #IND  women's #hockey  team are into the SEMI-FINALS after beating #AUS  1-0 ??#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/sE5lwjaTMW

— Sakshi Malik (@SakshiMalik) August 2, 2021

Incredible Morning. So proud of our women’s hockey team. Nothing unites us the way sport does !!! #twomoretogo

— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 2, 2021

Inspiring performance after inspiring performance after inspiring performance after inspiring performance

Thank you for making us believe!

— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) August 2, 2021

That feeling

That’s why all the hard work is worth it

It’s that simple!

— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) August 2, 2021

India make history by progressing to their first-ever semi-finals in women's by culling giants Australia at the last-eight stage! India beat Australia 1-0 and this might be the biggest upset in history at this stage of the tournament. Simply remarkable from Rani Rampal and the girls! The hooter never sounded sweeter. What sounds better is saying the words "Indian women's hockey team is in the Olympics semi-final." Need to win at least one more for a medal. But these girls seem like they're ready to win two. 

They can barely believe. Tears all around on the pitch. Indian women's team has marched into the Olympic semifinal. #hockey #tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/SDPj0haVpA

— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) August 2, 2021

Australia appeal for a foul. Review upheld and they get a penalty corner. Team India manage to keep it away from the goalpost again. Three minutes to go, credit to the Indian girls, they have not parked the bus, still looking for a break. They still lead Australia 1-0.

Green card for Nikki Pradhan. She will sit out of the game for two minutes out of the five remaining. The match has become super intense, a foul from Malone and some pressure is relieved off India. India lead 1-0.

Two good saves by Savita as Australia get two penalty corners after Grace gets whacked on the face down their right. Savita does well to save but India concede another penalty corner. Savita does well to save it again. Crucial minutes of the match left for India.

India are pressing high, ten minutes to go before they make history and enter semifinal. India continue their brilliant defense but crucial minutes in play right now. Super intense.

After a goalless third quarter, India maintains its lead against Australia in the quarterfinal. The all-important 4th quarter coming up. 

Come onnnnnnn!!!! 15 mins to go. Stay strong ladies! ???

— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) August 2, 2021

15 more mins

Starting to pray now

???????? https://t.co/8SMfufUXDm

— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) August 2, 2021

Navneet Kaur has a good attempt at goal - driving in from the left, she attempts a quick reverse flick at the near post, but zooms past the post. It can be argued that Inida is playing their best game of the competition so far.