Thaindian News

London, Aug 4 (IANS) India’s top discus thrower Krishna Poonia qualified for the final round while triple jumper Mayookha Johny and men’s shot putter Om Prakash Singh were knocked out on the first day of the track and field events of the 2012 London Games here Friday.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Poonia achieved the target of 63.54 metres in her second attempt at the Olympic Stadium. The qualification mark was set at 63 metres.

Johny crashed out of the Games, failing to qualify for the finals with a disappointing 13th place finish in Group B.

The Indian finished a dismal 22nd overall with a best effort of 13.77 metres, which she got in her first attempt. Things only got worse for her as she jumped 13.68 m in the second and 13.22 m in the third.

Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan had the highest jump in the qualification round with a 14.79 m.

Mayookha earned a last-minute qualification for the Games after an impressive showing in a German competition.

In men’s shot put, Om Prakash Singh faltered in the qualification round and finished 10th in group B here Friday.

Om Prakash failed to make the finals and was ousted after he fouled in his third attempt to finish with a best of 19.86 m, which is below his national record of 20.69m he managed in the run-up to the Games in May.

The 25-year-old, who is participating in the Olympics for the first time, finished 19th overall.

In his first attempt, Om Prakash touched 19.40 m well behind American Reese Hoffa who led the qualifiers with an impressive 21.3 6m throw, while German David Storl took the second spot with 21.15 m.