India’s javelin star Neeraj Chopra turned 28 on Wednesday. The Olympic gold medalist and World Champion has set multiple records, including a 90.23m personal best, bringing immense pride to the nation.
The defending champion, who had clinched gold in Budapest two years ago, managed a best throw of 84.03m at the National Stadium, well below his usual standards
Four years on from his glorious Olympic gold at the same venue, and two years after being crowned world champion in Budapest, Neeraj could manage only eighth place with a best of 84.03m.
The Indian ace needed to clear 84.50m for automatic qualification and did so with a smooth 84.85m effort on his opening attempt, extending his remarkable record of sealing qualification with a single throw for the fifth major event in a row.
Chopra managed a best effort of 85.01m on his final attempt to take second place, well below his season-best mark. It was also his third straight runner-up finish in the prestigious competition.
On Monday, Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, declared a prize of Rs 25 lakh for Kishore Jena, a…
To a query about his finishing at top amid a very strong field at Lausanne, Neeraj said that most of the top competitions are in Europe. The problem we face is when we go from hot conditions to cold ones."
Athletes are awarded points instead of medals for competing in each leg of the Diamond League series.
The one-day track and field meet will mark the return of Neeraj Chopra in action after the Indian suffered a muscle strain during training last month.
Last year, Neeraj Chopra created history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Diamond League finals in Eugene, USA.
