Discus thrower Seema qualifies for Rio

New Delhi: Asian Games discus throw gold medal winner Seema Punia qualified for the Rio Olympics with a 62.62 metres effort at the Pat Young’s Throwers Classic 2016 at Salinas (California) in the United States.

Punia, 32, crossed the Rio Games qualification standard of 61.00m at the Hartnell College Throwers Complex with her season’s best effort of 62.62 metres and, in the process, pipped 2008 Olympic discus throw champion Stephanie Brown-Trafton of United States of America for the gold.

Punia is the 19th Indian track and field athlete to have qualified for the Rio Olympics.