J J Shobha displayed admirable grit and determination as she soldiered on despite a ligament injury to finish the gruelling women's heptathlon at the Olympic Games. Shobha battled excruciating pain in her left knee to take the 11th place with 6172 points, while her compatriot Soma Biswas logged 5965 points to finish 24th at the Olympic stadium. The gold went to Carolina Kuft of Sweden who got 6952 points, while Lithuanian Austra Skujyte (6435) clinched the silver, and Great Britian's Kelly Sotherton (6424) claimed the bronze. Shobha, who had finished 20th after four events on Friday, climbed to the 12th spot after the Saturday's first event - the long jump - and went up one rung higher following another good performance in javelin, when tragedy struck. As she hurled the spear to a distance of 44.36 metres in her first effort to record her personal best, the Karnataka girl was seen writhing in pain and could not make any further attempt, raising apprehensions that she might have to opt out from the concluding 800m event. However, in tune with the Olympic spirit, Shobha not only participated in the event but also came third clocking two minutes 17.28 seconds. After the event, Shobha had to be stretchered off, receiving all-round cheers from the sports buffs. (PTI)
Shobha braves injury to finish 11th
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