Paris: His stunning monster throw of 89.34m in the qualification round made quite a statement but a tough challenge awaits defending champion Neeraj Chopra as he seeks another piece of history in the Paris Olympics men’s javelin throw final round here on Thursday.
Just like he did at the same stage in the Tokyo Olympics three years back, Chopra needed just a few seconds to top the qualification round with his opening throw but the similarity ends there.
This time, the quality of the field is better than Tokyo with nine throwers crossing the automatic final round qualification mark of 84m in Paris as against six in Tokyo. Out of the nine, five made it to the final round with their first throws and thus will have a lot in their tanks for the medal round.
The 26-year-old Chopra knows it too well, having been in the global circuit for more than eight years.
“In the final, everyone has a different mindset and different situation. It will be a good competition. Whoever qualifies automatically is the best in preparation,” Neeraj told journalists after his ‘lightening’ appearance on the field.
He was in a hurry to go back to the Games Village and take rest to prepare for his best for the final round, as a lot is at stake on Thursday.
Chopra will have a chance to become only the fifth man in Olympic javelin throw history to defend the title.
If he wins gold, and for that matter a medal, he will become the most decorated Indian in Olympics in individual sport.
Shuttler PV Sindhu (one silver, one bronze), wrestler Sushil Kumar (one silver, one bronze) and shooter Manu Bhaker (two bronze) have won two Olympic medals each post Independence.
The tremendous effort, which was the second best of his career, also set aside concerns surrounding Chopra’s fitness after he revealed that he had been battling an adductor niggle in the build-up to the Games. His personal best continues to be 89.94m achieved back in 2022.
His 89.34m throw may also raise hopes of millions of Indian fans to see Chopra cross the elusive 90m mark on Thursday. His effort was also the second-best qualifying throw at an Olympics after the 89.39m registered by the legendary Jan Zelezny at 2000 Sydney Games.
Nadeem has not beaten Chopra in 10 meetings since 2016 but he can spring a surprise.
Czech Republic’s experienced thrower Jakub Vadlejch could also be looking to make the records with Chopra as he had ended up with a silver in Tokyo Olympics. He had beaten Chopra for the gold in Doha Diamond League in May.
Conditions on Thursday may also be different from the qualification round. The final is expected to be cooler as it’s happening in the evening as against daytime during the qualification round.
