Budapest: Neeraj Chopra achieved another historic feat on Sunday, becoming the first Indian athlete to win World Athletics Championships gold medal during the men's javelin throw final event. Chopra's second attempt in the final saw him launch the javelin to a distance of 88.17 meters, which remained the highest in the event. Neeraj's achievement marked a significant improvement from the 2022 edition of the Worlds, where he secured a silver medal.
Chopra's compatriot from Pakistan, Arshad Nadeem finished second as he finished marginally behind the Indian gold medallist at 87.82m. The Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch took the bronze in 86.67m.
The other two Indian javelin throwers in contention – Kishore Jena and DP Manu – also produced impressive performances even as they couldn't secure podium spots. Both throwers qualified for the top-8 positions and finished fifth and sixth respectively. While Jena had the highest registered throw of 84.77m – also his personal best – Manu threw 84.14m.
Entering the final as the hot favourite Chopra began with a foul throw on his first attempt in the final. Meanwhile, fellow Indian Manu DP opened with an effort of 78.44m.
Kishore Jena, the third Indian in action tonight, registers an opening throw of 75.70m.
Neeraj bounced back with a massive throw of 88.17m. His second attempt saw the Indian star jump straight to the top.
Meanwhile, Manu registered a foul throw on his second attempt. Jena improved his second attempt as he registered a throw of 82.82.
Neeraj then turned in an effort of 86.32. The Indian's best effort remained his second attempt with a throw of 88.17m.
Meanwhile, Manu registered 83.72m on his third attempt. His best effort in the final was his third attempt. The third Indian in the fray, Jena
On his fourth attempt, the star Indian athlete registered a throw of 86.32m. Following four rounds, Neeraj was still the man to beat. Meanwhile, Jena registered a throw of 80.19, while Manu fouled on the fourth attempt.
Chopra, the current no.1 in the javelin world rankings, had won the Olympic gold in Tokyo but finished with a silver at the worlds in Eugene last year, as Anderson Peters had clinched the gold. The only other Indian to win a medal at the worlds was Anju Bobby George, who took bronze in the women's long jump in 2003 in Paris. Agencies
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