Defending champion Neeraj Chopra showcased his prowess and determination as he stormed into the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris Olympics with a sensational first throw of 89.34m. This season’s best effort, achieved on his very first attempt in the qualification round, not only secured his place in the finals but also alleviated concerns about his fitness following an adductor niggle he had been battling in the lead-up to the Games. This throw marks the second-best performance of Chopra’s career, just shy of his personal best of 89.94m set in 2022.
Chopra’s remarkable performance overshadowed the efforts of his compatriot Kishore Jena, who could not qualify for the finals. Jena managed a throw of 80.73m, falling short of the mark needed to secure a spot among the top 12 finalists.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, also booked his place in the finals with a commendable throw of 86.59m in Group B. Nadeem’s performance keeps alive Pakistan’s hopes for a medal in the men’s javelin event.
Neeraj Chopra’s qualification with such a dominant throw sets a promising tone for the finals, where he will aim to defend his Olympic title and bring glory to India once again. The finals promise to be an exciting showdown, with Chopra and Nadeem among the top contenders to watch.
