Aichi-Nagoya: India’s Manpreet Kaur won the bronze medal in the women’s shot put competition at the Asian Games on Friday, producing a best throw of 17.17 metres.

The 36-year-old athlete from Patiala finished third in the event, adding another medal to India’s athletics tally at the continental competition.

China dominated the podium, with Song Jiayuan winning the gold medal with a throw of 19.40 metres, while compatriot Zhang Linru took silver with an effort of 18.14 metres.

Manpreet produces 17.17m effort

Manpreet recorded her best throw of 17.17m to secure the bronze medal in the women’s shot put competition.

While her effort was below her personal best, it was enough to place her behind the two Chinese competitors, who produced throws beyond the 18-metre mark.

Song Jiayuan’s winning effort of 19.40m gave China the gold, while Zhang Linru’s 18.14m secured the silver.

For Manpreet, the bronze represents a return to the Asian Games podium and another international medal in her long athletics career.

Patiala athlete adds another international medal

Manpreet, who hails from Patiala, has been competing at the international level for several years.

Her most recent major international medal before the Asian Games came at the 2023 Asian Championships, where she won bronze.

Her experience has made her one of the established names in Indian women’s shot put. At 36, her podium finish also underlines her longevity in a physically demanding athletics discipline.

Manpreet’s personal best stands at 18.06m, which she recorded in 2022.

China takes gold and silver

The women’s shot put podium was dominated by China, with Song and Zhang finishing first and second respectively.

Song’s 19.40m throw was more than a metre ahead of Zhang’s 18.14m effort. Manpreet’s 17.17m throw placed her third.

The result gave China two medals in the event, while India added the bronze through Manpreet.

Another Asian Games medal for Manpreet

The bronze medal adds to Manpreet’s record of international performances and comes after her podium finish at the 2023 Asian Championships.

Her 17.17m effort in Aichi-Nagoya was below her 18.06m personal best, but she managed to deliver a medal-winning performance on the Asian Games stage.

The result also adds to India’s athletics medal haul at the Games, with Manpreet becoming one of the country’s medal winners in the field events.