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CWG 2010: Discus throwers give India a dream finish
Fifty-two years ago, he created history by winning India's first CWG athletics gold. On Monday, Milkha Singh was in the crowd that witnessed another historic occasion —Krishna Poonia, Harwant Kaur and Seema Antil winning gold, silver and bronze in the discus throw. Saurabh Duggal reports. See special | Tuesday's spotlight | Monday's haul | Indians to watch
Fifty-two years ago, he created history by winning India's first CWG athletics gold. On Monday, Milkha Singh was in the crowd that witnessed another historic occasion —Krishna Poonia, Harwant Kaur and Seema Antil winning gold, silver and bronze in the discus throw.
Prior to this edition, India had only managed 10 athletics medals, but the packed Nehru Stadium crowd powered the Indian throwers to achieve the stuff of dreams. It was the first time in history that the top three positions in a major athletics event were taken by Indians.
“I won gold in the 1958 Cardiff Games and have longed for the feat to be repeated,” said Milkha. Krishna ended the half-century long gold drought in athletics by hurling the discus 61.51m. She was followed by Harwant Kaur, whose best throw was 60.16m while Seema Antil came third with a throw of 58.46m.
Indian athletes have done better than ever at the Games this time, but to hear the national anthem ring out, and the 30,000 plus supporters sing along, was truly one of the moments of the Games.
