Athletics
Tokyo Olympics Day 8, 30th July Athletics LIVE: Kamalpreet Kaur shines while Seema Punia and Sreeshankar Murali are knocked out - Updates, results, commentary, blog
Follow all the latest news and updates as Indians compete in women's discus throw and men's long jump
Seema Punia and Kamalpreet Kaur (Source: Athletics Federation of India)
A day that started with so much enthusiasm and positivity eventually ended with disappointment once again here on the second day of athletics at the Tokyo Olympics.
Sreeshankar Murali had a rather disappointing outing in the men's long jump qualification as he only managed to get the best effort of 7.69m which was never going to be enough to qualify for the finals.
India would be happy with Kamalpreet Kaur's qualification to the finals in what was the only major positive for the day not just in athletics but across all sports.
At the end of the day in the final event, we saw Elaine Thompson-Herah winning the gold and setting a new Olympic record in the process as well in the women's 100m event with a time of 10.61s.
That's all for today and thank you very much for joining us in the coverage.
Live Updates
- 31 July 2021 12:57 AM GMT
Women's Discus Throw - Group A
Jamaica's Shadae Lawrence hits the 62.27m mark and France's Melina Robert-Michon hits 60.88m.
Both these attempts put Seema Punia in the fifth rank currently.
- 31 July 2021 12:52 AM GMT
Women's Discus Throw - Group A
Looking at all the attempts so far, it looks highly unlikely that any of these athletes will hit the 64m mark required for direct qualification to the finals.
- 31 July 2021 12:49 AM GMT
Women's Discus Throw - Group A
A valid second attempt from Seema Punia.
It's a much better attempt as she throws a 60.57m which has put her in the third spot of the standings.
- 31 July 2021 12:47 AM GMT
Women's Discus Throw - Group A
Of the fifteen athletes in Group A, seven of them have had an invalid first attempt either for hitting the netting on the side or stepping out of their area.
- 31 July 2021 12:45 AM GMT
UPDATE
In the women's 400m hurdles event, current world record holder Sydney McLaughlin has qualified for the semifinals after finishing first in Heat 3. She set a time of 54.65s.
- 31 July 2021 12:39 AM GMT
Women's Discus Throw - Group A
It looked like Seema Punia didn't have the correct momentum that was required for the throw.
Well, she needs to chin up and go again in some time. Remember her personal best is 64.84m.
- 31 July 2021 12:35 AM GMT
Women's Discus Throw - Group A
Disappointing start from Seema Punia.
Her first attempt isn't a valid one as the discus hit the netting on the right side as it travelled the distance.
Remember you get three attempts to get past the qualification mark of 64m.
- 31 July 2021 12:24 AM GMT
First up is Seema Punia
Seema Punia, the veteran competing in her fourth Olympics would be the first Indian in action here on this second day of athletics at the Tokyo Olympics.
The 38-year-old is in Group A of the Women's discus throw qualification event.
The action from Group A will begin in six minutes from now.
- 31 July 2021 12:20 AM GMT
Welcome to Day 2 of Athletics
Hello and a warm welcome to everyone here on the second day of the athletics event at the Tokyo Olympics. Day 1 was an eventful one and while it showed the gap between Indian athletics and world athletics it was still a step in the right direction, as the experience of an Olympic Games would be massive for the athletes.
But now we move ahead and prepare ourselves for another day of excitement as we'll see Indian discus throw athletes Seema Punia and Kamalpreet Kaur in action on this morning's session.
Seema Punia is a veteran competing in her fourth Olympics at the age of 38, while 25-year-old Kamalpreet Kaur will be making her debut at the Olympics.
We'll expect these athletes to at least reach their personal best which would be enough to secure a safe passage in the final.
So get your morning beverage and be ready, as we're just 10 minutes away from live-action to start at the Olympic stadium.
Stay tuned.
