Neeraj Chopra: Decoding the best throws of India's golden boy
India's ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is determined to defend his title at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Chopra recorded a massive throw of 89.34m on his first attempt in the Group B men's qualification round at Stade de France on August 6. This was Chopra's second-best throw ever, as per the records. Here we decode the Indian javelin ace's personal bests.
89.94m in 2022
As per Olympics.com, Chopra's best throw reads 89.94m. This was accomplished at the Stockholm Diamond League in Sweden on June 30, 2022. The throw continues to stand as the men's national record in India. Notably, this was just the second time Neeraj crossed the 89-meter mark. His brilliance at that event earned him the gold medal.
89.34m in 2024
Chopra gave it all in his first attempt at the Paris Games and recorded his second-best throw in the sport's history. His javelin traveled 89.34 meter as India's golden boy advanced to the final round. Notably, Chopra didn't even breach the 88-meter mark during his triumphant campaign at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His best throw that year came in the final (87.58m).
89.30m in 2022
A week before his 89.94m shot at the 2022 Stockholm Diamond League, Chopra showcased his brilliance in the Paavo Nurmi Games, which took place in Turku, Finland. The event saw Chopra script a new national record in men's javelin throw on June 14. He went on to finish second with a throw of 89.30m. He had broken his previous national record of 88.07m.
89.08m in 2022
On 26 August, 2022, Chopra won first place at the Lausanne Diamond League with a throw of 89.09m and qualified for the Zürich Final. This was the second time in 45 days that Chopra went past the 89-meter mark. However, it took almost two years to breach the mark again. Fortunately for India, he brought his best in his maiden assignment in Paris Games.
