India in Olympics: Women in hockey semis; Mirza reaches equestrian final while Kamalpreet finishes 6th in discus

The hockey quarter final match saw drag flicker Gurjit Kaur converting a penalty corner in the  second quarter  of the match and then they held on their slender lead  to make it to the  semifinal. This was the first time that Indian women reached the last-four stage in this mega event.

Earlier at the partly boycotted Moscow Olympics, Indian women finished fourth in the 6-team round robin league .

Facing the three time champions, India  fought on equal note matching the rivals on every count. India’s defense led by agile and alert keeper Savita rose to the occasion to repulse all the Aussie attacks including seven penalty corners. India in the semi final will met Argentina on Aug 4.

Another Indian to make some impression during the day was woman discus thrower Kamalapreet  Kaur who  finished sixth with a throw of  63.70 metre which she attained in her third attempt.

Proceedings in the discus final were temporarily stopped for some time  because of rain. Though Kamalpreet got three more chances after being  among top eight at the end of the first three throws, she could not improve further.

In equestrian, Fouaad Mirza and Seigneur Medicott advanced to the final of  individual jumping event finishing 25th .

Dutee Chand competed in the heat four of women’s 200 metre and finished 7th.

The Indian shooters, like all other days, cut a sorry figure. Aishwary  Pratap Singh Tomar and Sanjeev Rajput  finished  21st and 32nd respectively in  the men’s 50 metre rifle three position event . 

[All images from UNI]