Defending Olympic champion and World Championships gold medalist Neeraj Chopra made a spectacular entrance into the men’s javelin throw finals at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday. He delivered a massive throw of 89.34 metres during Group B qualification, securing his place in the final round.
Exceptional Performance
Chopra’s throw of 89.34 metres, achieved on his first attempt, is his best this season and ranks as his second-best ever in a men’s javelin event. His top throw remains 89.94 metres from the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022. This throw also marks Chopra’s highest in any qualification round. The finals are scheduled for Thursday at 11:55 pm IST. Chopra comfortably exceeded the qualification mark of 84.00 metres.
Rivalry and Competition
Chopra’s main competitor, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, also advanced to the finals with his season-best throw of 86.59 metres. Nadeem and Chopra have cultivated a competitive rivalry, with Chopra maintaining a 9-0 head-to-head record. Despite Chopra’s lead, Nadeem’s personal best of 90.18 metres from the 2022 Commonwealth Games surpasses Chopra’s top effort.
Kishore Jena’s Performance
Asian Games silver medallist Kishore Jena fell short of advancing to the finals. He finished ninth in Group A with a best throw of 80.73 metres. Jena’s second attempt was invalid, and his third attempt measured only 80.21 metres. To reach the finals, athletes must rank among the top 12 across both qualification groups.
With Chopra’s impressive performance, India looks forward to a promising result in the javelin throw final.