Krishna Poonia sets new national record, wins silver in Hawaii
7 May 2012 10:31 PM IST
Commonwealth Games gold medalist and Olympics-bound woman discus thrower Krishna Poonia created a new national record en route to her silver medal winning performance at the Altius Track Crew Throwdown meet in Maui Island, Hawaii on Monday.
Krishna hurled the discuss to 64.76 meters to not only pocket the silver medal but also break Seema Antil's existing national record of 64.64 meters.
After her first attempt was called foul, Krishna threw the discuss to 56.96, 64.76, 62.68, 61.55 and 63.68 meters respectively to end her campaign on an impressive note in the Hawaii event.
Reigning Olympic champion Stephanie Brown Trafton of USA won the gold medal with a throw of 66.86 meters, while Gia Lewis-Smallwood pocketed the bronze with an effort of 63.97 meters.
Krishna, who had qualified for the London Olympics after clinching a gold medal in the women's discus throw event of the Fling Throw Meet in Portland, USA earlier this summer, is ecstatic after ending her long wait of breaking the national record.
Krishna's husband and coach Virendar Poonia hoped that his wife would cross the 65 meters mark in the upcoming London Olympics.
"I am very happy with my performance as the long wait to break the national record was over today. It's one of the most important days of my life along with the Commonwealth Games gold-winning performance. I am hoping that I can cross 65 meter in London Olympics," Poonia said.
'I thank Sports Ministry, SAI and NIS Patiala for the support and consistent guidance. And special thanks to ATE (a Meerut-based discus manufacturers),' she said
Poonia had won silver in another meet at the same venue two days ago with an effort of 63.67 meters.
She is now among the top seven best performers in the world this year and her today's national record-breaking effort of 64.76m is among the top 15 of the season.
Poonia has been undergoing a three-month training stint on government expenses at the Throws Centre at Concordia University at Oregon, Portland under the guidance of former Olympic champion Mac Wilkins.
Her next competitions would be at the prestigious Samsung Diamond League Meetings in Eugene (June 2) and New York (June 9) where she will rub with the best in the business.
Poonia had crossed the Olympic qualification 'A' mark in October last year at Halloween Throws Meet at Portland with a throw of 62.25 meters.
Krishna hurled the discuss to 64.76 meters to not only pocket the silver medal but also break Seema Antil's existing national record of 64.64 meters.
After her first attempt was called foul, Krishna threw the discuss to 56.96, 64.76, 62.68, 61.55 and 63.68 meters respectively to end her campaign on an impressive note in the Hawaii event.
Reigning Olympic champion Stephanie Brown Trafton of USA won the gold medal with a throw of 66.86 meters, while Gia Lewis-Smallwood pocketed the bronze with an effort of 63.97 meters.
Krishna, who had qualified for the London Olympics after clinching a gold medal in the women's discus throw event of the Fling Throw Meet in Portland, USA earlier this summer, is ecstatic after ending her long wait of breaking the national record.
Krishna's husband and coach Virendar Poonia hoped that his wife would cross the 65 meters mark in the upcoming London Olympics.
"I am very happy with my performance as the long wait to break the national record was over today. It's one of the most important days of my life along with the Commonwealth Games gold-winning performance. I am hoping that I can cross 65 meter in London Olympics," Poonia said.
'I thank Sports Ministry, SAI and NIS Patiala for the support and consistent guidance. And special thanks to ATE (a Meerut-based discus manufacturers),' she said
Poonia had won silver in another meet at the same venue two days ago with an effort of 63.67 meters.
She is now among the top seven best performers in the world this year and her today's national record-breaking effort of 64.76m is among the top 15 of the season.
Poonia has been undergoing a three-month training stint on government expenses at the Throws Centre at Concordia University at Oregon, Portland under the guidance of former Olympic champion Mac Wilkins.
Her next competitions would be at the prestigious Samsung Diamond League Meetings in Eugene (June 2) and New York (June 9) where she will rub with the best in the business.
Poonia had crossed the Olympic qualification 'A' mark in October last year at Halloween Throws Meet at Portland with a throw of 62.25 meters.
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