The World Athletics Championships 2023 has turned into a momentous occasion for India, with Neeraj Chopra, DP Manu, and Kishore Jena marking their places in the men's javelin throw finals. This unprecedented achievement stands as the first instance where three Indian athletes have reached this pinnacle in the championships, emphasizing a transformative era in Indian athletics.
India's Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur, took to Twitter to convey his best wishes to the Indian troika. "All the best Neeraj Chopra, Manu DP, and Kishore Jena for the World Championship final. The entire nation stands in support of you," his tweet read, underlining the nation's collective anticipation for the upcoming showdown.
Spearheading India's contention is Neeraj Chopra, the iconic Olympic champion and the World Championships silver medallist from 2022. With an awe-inspiring throw of 88.77m, he not only aced the qualification round but also met the entry standard for the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympics in javelin throw. Such accolades underscore Chopra's global prominence in the discipline.
Meanwhile, DP Manu, the prodigious talent who clinched a silver at the Asian Athletics Championships earlier in the year, didn't disappoint either. Overcoming initial hiccups during warm-ups, Manu emerged sixth in the qualification list, with an impressive throw measuring 81.31m, achieving his ambition of setting a new personal best.
The young sensation Kishore Jena, marking his debut in a competition outside Asian territories, seamlessly made it to the 12-man final roster. Registering 80.55m on his first attempt, Jena secured the ninth rank, building on his recent success at the Sri Lankan Championships, where he recorded a throw of 84.38m, etching his name as India's fourth-best javelin thrower historically.
The trio's progression to the final phase of the championships reflects the meteoric rise of athletics in India, especially in the javelin throw category. It also serves as an affirmation of the immense potential Indian athletes hold on the international platform. With bated breath, India now looks forward to the finals, hoping its champions clinch historic honors at the World Athletics Championships 2023.
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