Reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra made an impressive start in the men’s javelin throw at the Paris 2024 Games, securing his spot in the final with a standout performance. Chopra, competing in Group B of the qualification round, unleashed a throw of 89.34 meters, surpassing the qualification mark of 84 meters by a remarkable 5.34 meters. This effort marked his best-ever attempt at the Summer Games and signaled a strong defense of his title.
In his qualification group, Chopra showcased his prowess on his first attempt, setting the tone for his campaign in Paris. The only other Indian javelin thrower, Kishore Jena, achieved a best throw of 80.73 meters but did not make the final cut, as only the top 12 performers or those who meet the qualification mark advance.
Chopra’s performance at the Tokyo Games, where he became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal in track and field, remains historic. To add to his accolades, a gold medal in Paris would place him among the exclusive list of athletes who have defended their javelin gold at the Olympics. The list includes Eric Lemming of Sweden (1908, 1912), Jonni Myyra of Finland (1920, 1924), Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic (1992, 1996, 2000), and Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway (2004, 2008).
Chopra’s journey leading up to Paris has been marked by a series of significant performances. Last year, he clinched gold at the World Athletics Championships. This year, despite a few setbacks, including a precautionary withdrawal from the Ostrava Golden Spike due to an adductor issue, Neeraj Chopra has shown resilience. He finished second at the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 88.36 meters and made a triumphant return with a gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland with a throw of 85.97 meters.
His coach reassured fans about Chopra’s fitness, stating that the adductor issue had been resolved, and he is now in peak training condition. Chopra’s focused preparation and exceptional performance in the qualification round position him as a strong contender for retaining his Olympic gold.