Tokyo Olympics: Annu Rani Fails to Qualify for Women's Javelin Throw Finals, finishes 14th

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 3 August 2021

Annu Rani of India finished 14th with a below-par throw of 54.04m in Tokyo on Tuesday, failing to qualify for the women's javelin throw final.

Annu started with a 50.35m throw and improved to a 53.19m throw in her second attempt in Group A, which had 14 competitors.

The 29-year-old had to work hard to make it to the 12-woman final, and while she improved marginally, she was still far short of the automatic qualification mark of 63m.

The effort was also well below her personal best of 63.24m, which she set earlier this year in the Federation Cup.

Maria Andrejczyk of Poland was the only thrower to earn automatic qualification by launching the spear 65.25 metres on her first attempt.

According to the rules, the thrower who manages 63m or more, or at least the top 12 performers, qualify for the final.

In the men's event, which begins on Wednesday, all eyes will be on contender Neeraj Chopra.

Annu Rani holds a national record. She accomplished the feat with a 62.43m throw at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.

Later that year, in 2021, Rani broke her own national record. She improved her throw and went on to set a new personal best distance of 63.24m.

Annu Rani also won bronze at the 2014 Asian Games and silver at the 2019 Asian Championships.

Annu Rani, who managed only 50.35m, 53.19m, and 54.04m (her best) in her three attempts, has unfortunately been eliminated from the Olympics in the qualification round.

Rani's position in the next round has been jeopardised due to a poor performance.