Budapest, Hungary: India’s javelin sensation, Neeraj Chopra, demonstrated his prowess on the global stage once again by securing his place in the men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships 2023, following an impressive performance in the qualifying round held in Budapest, Hungary, on Friday.
Under the slightly overcast skies, Neeraj Chopra delivered a stunning display of his skills, launching the javelin to a remarkable distance of 88.77 metres with his very first attempt. This outstanding throw not only secured his direct entry into the final, scheduled to take place on Sunday, but it also marked his season’s best. The automatic qualifying mark set for this stage was 83.00 metres, a bar that Chopra effortlessly surpassed.
On Day 6⃣ of World #Athletics Championships, Golden boy @Neeraj_chopra1 keeps up with our expectations 🥳
The #TokyoOlympics🥇medalist & #TOPSchemeAthlete's very 1⃣st attempt gives us his season's best throw of 88.77m in Men's Javelin Throw Qualifying Event which also breached… pic.twitter.com/Tgt96JmQgM
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) August 25, 2023
However, after securing his place with a resounding mark, Neeraj Chopra opted not to take his next two attempts, conserving his energy and focus for the forthcoming final showdown.
Chopra’s remarkable feat not only guaranteed his spot in the championship final but also saw him exceed the entry standard for the javelin throw event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. With an impressive throw of 88.77 metres, he soared past the required entry mark of 85.50 meters. The qualification window for track and field athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympics commenced on July 1, 2023, adding further significance to Chopra’s achievement.
While achieving the entry standard is a significant milestone in the Olympic qualification journey, the final decision on his participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games rests with the National Olympic Committee.
Neeraj Chopra, celebrated as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion and the silver medalist in the 2022 World Championships, continues to bolster his stature as India’s pride in the realm of athletics. Holding the national record at 89.94 metres, he previously showcased his form with a season-best throw of 88.67 metres at the Doha Diamond League in May.
Speaking on his impressive qualification, Neeraj Chopra humbly stated, “I had a couple of good throws during my warm-up, and I felt confident that I would make it past the first round. He went on to explain, “I have not competed much this year because I wanted to protect myself from injuries ahead of this competition. I’ll give my everything at this year’s world championships final on Sunday.”
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