As India awaits its first ever Olympic medal in athletics after two narrow misses in 1960 and 1984, all eyes are on Kamalpreet Kaur in the women’s discus throw final which will start at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo at 4.30 pm IST on Monday.
The 25-year-old is only the second Indian woman, after Krishna Poonia in 2012, to enter the event final. Looking ahead to the final, 2010 Commonwealth Games champion Krishna said Kamalpreet should aim to achieve her personal best and the medal would automatically come.
“From what I saw from her in the qualifying round, I’m confident that she is capable of winning a medal. She was under a lot of stress going into the Games but Saturday’s performance shows that she has got over it,” Krishna, now an MLA in Rajasthan, told TOI.
“To manage such a big throw in the first big event of your career is no mean feat. That also shows her mental strength,” she added.
‘Go all out from start’
Krishna, who finished sixth at the London Games with a best of 63.62m, said Kamalpreet should go all out from the first throw. “Your first throw should be big. Once that happens you stand a good chance to enter the top-8. Kamalpreet’s aim should be to give her best in each of her attempts. She should not worry about getting into the top 8 or winning medals,” the former national champion said.
Virender Poonia, Krishna’s husband and Dronacharya award winner, said Kamaljeet’s first target should be to stay in the top 8. “The last four gets eliminated after the first three throws and to remain in the top 8 is her first target,” Virender said.
Virender, who had trained her in the national camp during 2015-16, felt Kamalpreet can be sure of a podium finish if she manages her personal best. “A big first throw is crucial. Once she enters top 8, then she can go all out in her last three attempts,” Virender said. “She should remain cut off from all outside talk and take adequate rest before the final, which is very important. Kamalpreet is improving with each event and that’s a big plus.”
