Annu Rani becomes first Indian woman to win gold in javelin thrown in Asian Games

Written By ANI | Updated: Oct 03, 2023, 07:53 PM IST

Annu touched 62.92m, which was her season's best throw and topped the chart to win the country its 15th gold in the ongoing Asian Games.

Indian women's javelin ace Annu Rani, with her season-best throw, claimed India's 15th gold medal in the final in the ongoing Hangzhou Asian Games, on Tuesday. Annu touched 62.92m, which was her season's best throw and topped the chart to win the country its 15th gold in the ongoing Asian Games. Her best throw of the evening came in her fourth attempt. 

Sri Lankan javelin thrower, Nadeesha Dilhan, claimed the second spot with her personal best throw of 61.57m while China's Huihui Lyu claimed the bronze medal with a throw of 61.29m. Earlier, on Tuesday, Indian athlete Mohammed Afsal Pulikkalath bagged silver in the men's 800m final. 

Afsal had a shot at gold but fell inches short of finishing first. Saudi Arabia's Essa Ali Kzwani went past the Indian runner towards the end to claim the yellow metal. Afsal clocked 1:48.43s to claim the silver. The Saudi Arabian athlete surpassed him by 0.39s as he finished the event with a timing of 1:48.05s.

The bronze medal was claimed by Oman's Husain Mohsin Husain, who clocked 1:48.51s. Krishan Kumar was the other Indian participating in the race but was disqualified for jostling/obstruction.

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In the women's event, Indian runner Parul Chaudhary etched her name in history, winning a gold in the women's 5000m. Returning to the field after bagging a silver medal in the women's 3000-metre steeplechase on Monday, Parul finished with a timing of 15:14.75 to clinch the gold, becoming the first Indian to win the yellow metal in the women's 5000m event at the Asian Games.