Indian athletes faced significant challenges at the Olympics on August 7. Javelin thrower Annu Rani and high jumper Sarvesh Kushare were knocked out in the qualification rounds, while Jyothi Yarraji managed to advance to the repechage in the 100m hurdles.
Annu Rani, an experienced javelin thrower and national record holder, failed to make an impact. In the qualification round, she opened with a throw of 55.81m and could not improve, recording subsequent throws of 53.22m and 53.55m. She finished 15th among 16 competitors in Group A and 26th overall. Despite training abroad and having a season best of 60.68m, Annu fell short of her national record of 63.82m and her recent Asian Games gold-winning effort of 62.92m. She had qualified for the Paris Olympics through the world ranking quota. Her performance was well below expectations, considering her international experience and previous achievements.
In the 100m hurdles, Jyothi Yarraji, a national record holder and Olympic debutant, did not secure an automatic semifinal spot. She finished seventh in her round one heat race, clocking a below-par time of 13.16 seconds. This placed her 35th overall out of 40 runners. Jyothi's national record is 12.78 seconds, set during her training prior to the Olympics. Defending champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico led the semifinal qualifiers with a time of 12.42 seconds. Despite not making it through her heat, Jyothi has another chance in the repechage round, which gives athletes who did not qualify directly another opportunity to advance based on their performance.
High jumper Sarvesh Anil Kushare also faced disappointment, finishing 13th in Group B and 25th overall in the qualification round. He cleared a height of only 2.15m, far below his season's best of 2.25m, preventing him from advancing to the final. This was a significant letdown as Sarvesh had shown potential in previous competitions and was expected to clear the initial rounds comfortably.
Additionally, the marathon race walk mixed relay team of Suraj Panwar and Priyanka Goswami did not complete their event. Goswami withdrew during the fourth and final leg of the 41.4km race, marking another setback for the Indian contingent. This race was a new addition to the Olympics, and the Indian team had high hopes for a good performance, but they struggled to keep pace with the leading teams.
Overall, it was a tough day for Indian athletes, marked by underwhelming performances and early exits. The focus now shifts to upcoming events and opportunities for redemption. The athletes and their coaches will need to reassess their strategies and prepare rigorously for their next competitions. The Indian contingent at the Olympics remains hopeful for better outcomes in the remaining events, aiming to bring home medals and make the nation proud.
Â
