Neeraj Chopra clinches historic gold at World Athletics Championships in javelin throw, becoming India’s first World Championships gold medalist.
Neeraj Chopra achieved a significant milestone on Sunday, securing his inaugural gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, thereby becoming the first Indian athlete to attain this prestigious feat in the men’s javelin throw final.
In a remarkable display, Neeraj Chopra’s second attempt during the final event saw him propel the javelin to an impressive distance of 88.17 meters, the farthest distance reached in the competition. This victory marked a substantial improvement from the previous year’s World Championships, where he had claimed a silver medal.
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While Chopra had a relatively underwhelming start, recording a distance of merely 79 meters in his initial throw, he chose to dismiss the score, deliberately committing a foul by stepping over the line. However, he turned the tide in his favour during his second attempt, buoyed by the enthusiastic crowd support. Celebrating even before the javelin hit the ground, Chopra showcased his characteristic exuberance.
In the aftermath, Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan secured the second spot with a distance of 87.82 meters, trailing closely behind the Indian gold medalist. Jakub Vadlejch from the Czech Republic clinched the bronze with a throw measuring 86.67 meters.
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Despite Kishore Jena and DP Manu, the other Indian javelin throwers, not securing podium positions, they delivered commendable performances. Both athletes qualified among the top eight, finishing fifth and sixth respectively. Jena achieved a personal best with a recorded throw of 84.77 meters, while Manu managed 84.14 meters.
Neeraj Chopra, who currently holds the number one position in global javelin rankings, added to his accolades following his victory in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. While he had previously secured a silver in the World Championships in Eugene, this achievement underscores his exceptional prowess.
In the qualifying round for the men’s javelin final in the 2023 event, Neeraj Chopra efficiently secured his place with a single throw, registering an impressive 88.77 meters on his maiden attempt. Continuing his impressive performance in the final, he recorded distances of 88.17m, 86.32m, 84.64m, 87.73m, and 83.98m following his initial foul.
This historic win positions Neeraj Chopra as only the third athlete in history to concurrently hold both the Olympic and World Championships titles in javelin throw. This remarkable feat aligns him with the esteemed ranks of Jan Zelezny from the Czech Republic and Andreas Thorkildsen from Norway.
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