Neeraj Chopra dispels doubts over his fitness with a massive throw of 89.34 meters! Fans cheer for yet another showdown in Olympics final.
Defending Olympic champion gold medallist Neeraj Chopra has registered a huge throw of 89.34 meters in the group B of the men’s javelin throw qualification round. His performance on Tuesday seemed to clear all the doubts around his fitness and showed the world he is ready to take on just about anybody.
Chopra’s Comeback Enthrals spectators on Tuesday
It was in May, when Chopra’s adductor injury had become news. Many sports analysts and Indians wondered whether he could participate in the ongoing Paris Olympics. A sure medal lost? The questions kept bothering the Indian sports fraternity as the defending Olympic gold medallist began his comeback battle.
https://x.com/Olympics/status/1820763594046263784
Looking relaxed and fresh, the twenty-seven-year-old threw a marker to his rivals as he stormed into the final of the men’s javelin throw with a big first heave of 89.34 meters.
It was also his season’s best and the eleven other finalists at the Stade de France now know they will need something special on Thursday to take out the champion.
Neeraj assures “Full Preparation”
“I’m feeling better than before. I had a good warm-up and today after getting in I began slowly. Now, I will be competing in the final fully prepared. I always try to do well with my first throw but it doesn’t always work,” Neeraj said.
In a high class qualification round, Neeraj went to the top of the run up and executed the throw to perfection. The Indian opened action in Group B and got the job done.
Chopra’s performance and his assurance is a welcome relief for his fans who wish to watch their favourite athlete in action.
A Tough Path Ahead
Neeraj will have to contend with some top throwers for a medal. A Few of the finalists have crossed the 89-metre mark in their careers.
Germany’s 19-year-old sensation Max Dehning is the only thrower in the fray to register a 90-metre plus (90.20 metres) distance this year.
Two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Granada (88.63 meters) finished second overall in the qualification. But it was rival Arshad Nadeem (86.59 meters) who stoked an India-Pakistan flavour to Thursday’s final.
Germany’s European silver medallist Julian Weber qualified for the title clash as Group A topper as he nailed his very first throw with a measured 87.76 meters. Another big name who booked his final ticket was Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago.
Nine athletes broke the 84-metre mark, five in their first attempts, and Neeraj feels it’s going to be a “cracking final”.
“IT (QUALIFICATION) GIVES ME GOOD CONFIDENCE AS WELL BUT MY AIM IS TO RESERVE MY BEST FOR THE FINAL. THAT’S THE REAL DEAL,” CHOPRA SAID
Chopra Builds on National Ambition
Chopra’s ambition to become the first Indian to win two gold medals in an individual event at the Olympics remains within reach as he heads into the finals. Only four throwers, namely Eric Lemming, Jonni Myyra, Jan Zelezny, and Andreas Thorkildsen have accomplished the feat in the past.
This elite group of athletes successfully defended their gold medals in the men’s javelin at the Olympics. Therefore, Chopra’s achievement will be a significant milestone for Indian sports history!
