Budapest: The anticipation is palpable as India’s Tokyo Olympics champion Neeraj Chopra prepares to take the field at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. The 25-year-old javelin virtuoso will lead his nation’s charge as he competes in the men’s javelin throw qualifying rounds on Friday, aiming to etch his name in history once again.
Chopra, who has amassed an impressive collection of gold medals at the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games, is set to make his mark on the world stage once more. The Indian sporting sensation is not only a Diamond League champion but also holds the coveted title of world No. 1 men’s javelin thrower in the World Athletics rankings. Despite his numerous accolades, the one prize that has eluded him so far is the World Athletics Championships gold.
As the sun rises over Budapest, Chopra will be competing in Group A of the qualifiers, scheduled to commence at 1:40 PM IST. The stakes are high as he vies for a coveted spot in the 12-man final, slated for Sunday. The qualifying mark to secure an automatic spot in the final stands at 83.00m, a testament to the calibre of competition that waits.
Chopra’s journey to the world stage has been a tale of determination and near-misses. In the 2022 world championships held in Oregon, he came agonisingly close to clinching the gold medal but settled for silver, narrowly trailing behind Grenada’s Anderson Peters. Nonetheless, his performance marked a historic moment for India, as it was the country’s first-ever silver medal at the World Athletics Championships.
Joining Chopra in Group A is Manu DP, another rising star in India’s athletic landscape. Having secured the silver medal at this year’s Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok, Manu aims to make her debut world championship appearance a memorable one. In Group B, Kishore Jena will also be making his debut on the global stage, adding to the excitement surrounding India’s presence in the competition.
The competition promises to be fierce, with reigning world champion Anderson Peters, Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, and world No. 2 Julian Weber from Germany all vying for the top honours in the men’s javelin throw category. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, adds further depth to an already formidable field.
For those back in India, the JioCinema app and website will provide live streaming of Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event, allowing fans to witness his pursuit of gold firsthand.
Event Schedule:
August 25, Friday: Men’s javelin throw qualification – Group A (Neeraj Chopra, Manu DP) – 1:40 PM IST
August 25, Friday: Men’s javelin throw qualification – Group B (Kishore Jena) – 3:15 PM IST
August 27, Sunday: Men’s javelin throw final (TBD, subject to qualification) – 11:45 PM IST
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