While Neeraj Chopra was India's prime medal contender even before he entered the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, he did no harm to his reputation at the Men's Javelin Throw qualifying on Friday (August 25). One throw was all he needed to qualify as he sealed a place in the final with ease. In fact, no one came close to Chopra's first throw of 88.77m. The throw also helped him seal a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics where he will enter as the defending champions in the men's javelin throw final.
The video of Neeraj Chopra's throw that helped him comfortably enter the finals has surfaced on social media.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
It is pertinent to note that the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifying mark is 85.50m with the qualifying window beginning on July 1. This was also Chopra's best attempt all season, keeping hopes alive that the yet to be breached 90-m mark from the ever-consistent Chopra is just around the corner.
Chopra's personal best attempt stands at 89.94 m. Even though he was behind that mark on Friday, the automatic qualification mark was set at 83m which meant he could leave early and focus on rest and recovery before his performance on Sunday which will be when he will compete for a medal.
Meanwhile, the good news for Indian fans is Chopra is not the only Indian who will compete in the final. DP Manu, who competed in the same group with Chopra also qualified while Kishore Jena also secured a place for himself in the finals. All three of them had throws in excess of 80 metres with the two registering best throws of 81.31m of 80.55m respectively.