How did Annu Rani perform at Tokyo Olympics? A detailed look at the Indian javelin thrower's performance at the previous Olympic Games

Annu Rani is an Indian javelin thrower from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, backed by OGQ. She has taken part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after qualifying through world rankings after missing out on the Olympic qualification mark.

Despite a praiseworthy effort, the 31-year-old fell short of qualifying for the women's javelin throw event final in the Tokyo Olympics. She finished 14th in Group A of the qualifying round at the Olympic Stadium.

Creating history as the second Indian female javelin thrower to take part at the Olympics after Gurmeet Kaur (Sydney 2000), Annu Rani commenced with a throw of 50.35m.

She enhanced her performance with throws of 53.19m and 54.04m in her second and third attempts, respectively. However, it was insufficient to help her be in contention for the medal round. It is worth noting that Annu Rani didn't even manage to get anywhere close to her personal best of 63.24m.

She achieved this national record during the Federation Cup in March 2021. Ultimately, she finished 29th overall and thus had no opportunity to advance further in the competition. Notably, only the top 12 throwers from both groups progressed to the final of the event.

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A look at Annu Rani's stellar career

Annu Rani has reached numerous milestones in her career thus far. The 31-year-old created history as the first Indian to reach the finals of the women's javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, in 2019.

Meanwhile, her career-best effort of 63.24m helped her to secure the gold medal at the National Interstate Athletic Championship in Patiala, in 2021.

Additionally, at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, she became the first Indian female javelin thrower to win a medal, winning bronze.

Annu Rani had also made headlines as the first Indian javelin thrower to secure gold at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou. She earned a bronze medal at the IAAF World Challenge event, the Golden Spike Ostrava, in Ostrava, Czech Republic.