HIGHLIGHTS

• Kamalpreet Kaur qualified for the final after throwing 64m, the 2nd best in the qualification round
• Kamalpreet’s best throw is 66.59m — she broke the national record with that throw in June
• Anju Bobby George said a throw of 66m or above gives the Indian a realistic chance

One of India’s greatest Olympians, Anju Bobby George is hoping history can be created at the Tokyo Games on Monday, August 2 as she is backing Kamalpreeet Kaur’s chances to finish on the podium.

Kamalpreet Kaur, who stormed into the spotlight with her national-record setting throw of 66.59m in June, stunned the women’s Discus throw field, becoming only one of the two athletes to seal the automatic qualification mark of 64m last week.

Kamalpreet’s performance in the qualification round has ignited hopes back in the country which has no medals to show for in track and field at the Olympics.

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What was more special is Kamalpreet’s best throw of 64m was better than two-time Olympic champion Sandra Perkovic’s best throw of 63.75m.

Kamlapreet began with a 60.29m throw but improved to make it 63.97 in her second. The youngster showed tremendous composure as she registered her best throw in her final attempt.

Anju Bobby George, speaking to Sony Sports ahead of the big final, said Kamalpreet can dream to finish on the podium if she manages to match her best throw. Notably, Kamalpreet’s national-record smashing throw of 66.59m is the 6th best throw in Women’s Discus in 2019.

“She was steady there. Till the last moment, she was in very good form. That’s why she was able to do that, reproduce a throw that was close to her best. She was able to produce that throw. I hope on August 2, history can be created,” Anju Bobby George said.

Speaking about not having to deal with the burden of expectations in her maiden Olympic Games, Anju Bobby George said of Kamalpreet: “In your first competition, you can go without any pressure. Mostly that will be her attitude. When she comes for the next edition, there will be pressure and she has to handle that.

“But here, she will be going without any pressure. She is in very good form. So I think she can do that. Entire India is waiting for that, the first Olympic medal in athletics.”

66m: Realistic chance of a medal

Kamalpreet has often stressed how she would be looking to breach the 69m-mark at the Games. While it was looked at as a tall claim in the lead up to the Games, not many would doubt her after that performance in the qualifying.

As many as 2 throwers, including USA’s Vallarie Allman (who finished the qualification with the best throw of 66.42m), have thrown over 70m this year. Defending champion Perkovivc has a best throw of 68.31m while Cuba’s defending world champion Yaime Perez has the 3rd best throw of the season 68.99m.

Anju Bobby George said the big names in the field will be keen on getting close to their best but pointed out that at the big stage of the Olympics, anything can happen.

“66m, there is a realistic chance for a medal. The American she has already done 66m. The Croatian, she did a 63m throw but she can come up. Three 70-plus throwers are already there.

“But god knows what they can do in a final. I hope our athlete, Kamalpreet, can do better than 66m and probably get a podium finish.”

Kamalpreet will be in action in the 12-woman Discus final at 4:30 pm IST on August 2.