Tintu Luka fails to make the semifinals of the IAAF World Championships

Tintu Luka fails to reach the semifinals

In some disappointing news for India from the ongoing World Championships, one of the medal hopefuls Tintu Luka failed to make it to the semifinal of the Women’s 800m on Wednesday.

The Indian finished in 19th position out of the 44 athletes who participated in the event and despite putting forth a time of 2:00.95, which also happens to be her Season’s best, she failed to make the cut.

This certainly comes as a further blow for India, following another medal hopeful Inderjeet Singh’s disappointing 11th finish in the Shot Put final on Sunday. Tintu clinched the gold at the 2015 Asian Athletics Championships that were held in Wuhan, China in June and was hoping to carry on that good form into the World Championships but, unfortunately, couldn't do so.

However, the good news is that despite failing to reach rhe semifinals, Luka’s timings were good enough for her to seal a spot in the Rio Olympics next year.

Marina Arzamasova of Belarus finished on pole position with Seasons’ best timings of 1:58.69, Lynsey Sharp of Great Britain finished second with timings of 1:58.98 while Caster Semenya finished third with a time of 1:59.59.

Now, all eyes will be on the remaining participants in the Indian contingent, one of them being Lalita Babar, who will compete in the 3000m steeplechase final on Wednesday and look to win India’s first medal in this edition of the Championships.

Babar’s steeplechase final will be held later today at 6:30 PM IST.