Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu’s aspiration for a second consecutive Olympic medal was shattered as she concluded fourth in the women’s 49kg event on Wednesday in Paris. The 29-year-old, who secured a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, achieved a total lift of 199kg (88kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk) at the South Paris Arena. China’s Hou Zhihui successfully defended her title with a total of 206kg (89kg+117kg), while Romanian Mihaela Cambei claimed silver with 205kg (93kg+112kg).
Jamaica’s Roje Stona Triumphs in Discus Throw
Jamaica’s Roje Stona captured gold in the Olympic discus throw, surprising world record holder Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania. Alekna, the favourite, settled for silver, and Australia’s Matthew Denny, who placed fourth in Tokyo, secured the bronze. Alekna opened with a throw of 68.55 metres and then set a new Olympic record with 69.97 metres, surpassing the previous record held by his father, Virgilijus Alekna. However, Stona’s 70-metre throw surpassed Alekna’s best, earning him the gold.
Panipak Wongpattanakit Secures Taekwondo Gold
Thailand’s Panipak Wongpattanakit clinched the gold medal in the women’s flyweight division in taekwondo, overcoming China’s Guo Qing, who took silver. Bronze medals were awarded to Croatia’s Lena Stojkovic and Iran’s Mobina Nematzadeh.
Soufiane El Bakkali Retains 3,000m Steeplechase Title
Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali successfully defended his Olympic men’s 3,000 metres steeplechase title, clocking 8 minutes 6.05 seconds. American Kenneth Rooks secured silver, and Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot took bronze. World record holder Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia stumbled over a barrier on the final lap and was carried off the track after finishing the race.
Nina Kennedy Wins Women’s Pole Vault Gold
Australia’s Nina Kennedy soared to victory in the women’s pole vault, winning the gold medal. Katie Moon of the United States earned silver, and Canada’s Alysha Newman claimed bronze.
Sarah Ann Hildebrandt Wins Women’s 50kg Wrestling Gold
USA wrestler Sarah Ann Hildebrandt captured the gold medal in the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling. Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez was promoted to silver following Vinesh’s disqualification. India’s Avinash Sable finished 11th in the men’s 3000m steeplechase final, clocking 8 minutes 14.18 seconds. Sable had recently set a national record with a time of 8:09.91 seconds at the Paris Diamond League.
Disappointing Performances by Indian Triple Jumpers
Indian triple jumpers Praveen Chitravel and Abdulla Aboobacker failed to advance to the finals. Chitravel finished 27th with a jump of 16.25 metres, and Aboobacker ended 21st with 16.49 metres. Chitravel holds the national record of 17.37 metres, while Aboobacker has a personal best of 17.19 metres. Only those who jumped 17.10 metres or the top 12 performers moved to the final.
Mirabai Chanu’s fourth-place finish marked the sixth instance of an Indian athlete narrowly missing out on a medal at the Paris Olympics.
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