Discus thrower Poonia sets national record with silver in Hawaii

Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympics-bound woman discus thrower Krishna Poonia created a new national record en route to her silver medal winning performance at the Altius Track Crew Throwdown meet in Maui Island, Hawaii on Monday.

Krishna hurled the discuss to 64.76 meters to not only pocket the silver medal but also break Seema Antil's existing national record of 64.64 meters.

After her first attempt was fouled, Krishna threw the discuss to 56.96, 64.76, 62.68, 61.55 and 63.68 meters respectively to end her campaign on an impressive note in the Hawaii event.

Reigning Olympic champion Stephanie Brown Trafton of USA won the gold medal with a throw of 66.86 meters, while Gia Lewis-Smallwood pocketed the bronze with an effort of 63.97 meters.

Krishna, who had qualified for the London Olympics after clinching a gold medal in the women's discus throw event of the Fling Throw Meet in Portland, USA earlier this summer, is ecstatic after ending her long wait of breaking the national record.

Krishna's husband and coach Virendar Poonia hoped that his wife would cross the 65 meters mark in the upcoming London Olympics.