Paris Olympics: Neeraj Chopra reaches final with 89.34m throw
Defending champion Neeraj Chopra has qualified for the men's javelin throw final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. India's Golden Boy recorded a mammoth throw of 89.34m on his first attempt in the Group B qualification round at Stade de France on August 6. This has become Chopra's second-best throw ever in the sport. Notably, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem threw 86.59m on his first attempt.
Chopra's second-best throw
As mentioned, Chopra recorded his second-best throw ever in javelin throw. The Indian athlete's best-ever throw came at the 2022 Stockholm Diamond League (89.94m). In Stockholm, Chopra bettered his personal best record set in June that year at the Paavo Nurmi Games (85.97m). Earlier this year, the Indian javelin thrower also recorded an 88.36m throw at the Doha Diamond League.
Chopra qualification with his first throw
It is worth noting that Chopra earned a direct qualification for the men's javelin throw final with his first throw. As per the rules, athletes with the qualifying mark of 84.00m make it to the summit clash.
Tokyo Olympics gold medalist
In 2021 (Tokyo 2020 Games), Chopra became only the second Indian to clinch an individual gold medal at the Olympics after former shooter Abhinav Bindra. A throw of 87.58m in the men's javelin throw final helped Indian enter the record books. Chopra could now become the first-ever Indian to bag multiple individual gold medals at the Olympic Games.
Kishore Jena misses out on final
In the Group A javelin throw qualification round, Chopra's compatriot Kishore Jena missed out on the final berth. The latter threw 80.73m and 80.21m on his first and third attempts, while he was fouled in the second attempt.
