The unstoppable Neeraj Chopra has scaled new heights and has scripted history by bagging a Silver in World Athletics Championships 2022. The 19-year drought of medal for India in the Championships has come to an end and the 24-year-old’s dedication and hard work is the reason. Neeraj’s hankering for excellence earned India a coveted podium position for the first time in 19 years with a best throw of 88.13m.
Taking gold was Anderson Peters of Grenada with a mighty throw of 90.54. Three of his throws crossed the 90m mark, way ahead of his counterparts. Jakub Vadlejch came third with a throw of 88. Meanwhile, India's other Javelin thrower Rohit Yadav had a best of 78.72m and was eliminated after the first three throws.
The Silver was certainly looking closer after the Panipat native qualified for the final by the automatic qualifying mark, which needed a throw of at least 83.50m. Neeraj’s huge throw of 88.39m was only behind the mighty Grenedian Anderson Peters’ 89.91m.
It was a nervy and unusual start for Chopra, as he opened with a foul throw and had 82.39m and 86.37m to be at fourth after three rounds. But, to the relief of the Indian contingent, and the legions of his fans back home, he got his rhythm back as he came up with a big fourth-round throw of 88.13m, his fourth career-best effort, to jump to second place, which he held on to till the end. His fifth and sixth throws were fouls.
His silver saw India featuring in the medal table of the Championships for the first time in nearly two decades. India were placed at joint 28th in the standings.
Watch his throw here:
Not only the final but also the qualifying round was historic for India. Rohit Yadav ended up at the 11th spot and qualified for the final. This was the first instance where two Indian Javelin throwers sealed the spot in the final.
This was not the first time that the great Neeraj Chopra has displayed a brilliant character with a javelin in his hands. Scripting history every time he throws his javelin has become a routine for the Olympic gold medalist.
Recently, in the 2022 Diamond League, the star Indian athlete bagged a silver. But, the more glorifying fact was that he created a new national record and new personal best as his throw travelled a whooping distance of 89.94m.
There were ample instances of the 24-year-old making the whole country proud. Neeraj has a Gold medal against his name in the 2018 Asian games, the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Before Neeraj’s Silver in Javelin, Anju Bobby George was the one and only to win the silver medal for India in the 2003 World Athletics Championships.
