Navpreet finishes 21st in shot put qualification in World Athletics

Osaka, Aug 25 (UNI) India's campaign in the World Athletics championship began on a dismal note, with Punjab shot putter Navpreet Singh finishing a disappointing 21st and failing to qualify for the final round here today.

Navpreet, who won gold in the Asian Athletics Championship in Jordan last month, was way below his personal best of 19.93m and could only hurl the iron ball to 19.35m in the qualification round.

Had he come up with his personal best, Navpreet would have qualified for the final round as the last qualifier recorded 19.92m.

Navpreet, who cleared 19.70m in Jordan, started with a disappointing 19.00m and though he improved to 19.34m and 19.35m in his next two throws, it was never going to be good enough at this level and he fell by the wayside.

The best throw in the qualification was recorded by Rutger Smith of the Netherlands (21.04m). Twelve atheltes have qualified for the final round from a field of 36.

Thirteen Indians, including women's long jumper Anju Bobby George, are taking part in the Championship.

UNI