Championships!

Neeraj Chopra brings India’s first silver at World Athletics Championships

Neeraj Chopra created history after becoming India’s only athlete to win a silver at the World Athletics championship with his best effort of 88.13m on Sunday early morning. Chopra flashed a smile after his fourth-round throw as he hit 88.13m. The tension was eased after he moved into the provisional podium place in the second position following his best throw of the men’s javelin throw final in Eugene, US. 

Chopra however missed the opportunity to become the first Javelin thrower, after Norwegian track and field great Andreas Thorkildsen to hold both the Olympics and world championships titles at the same time. Thorkildsen achieved his titles at the Berlin edition of the Worlds meet. 

However, it was Grenadian Anderson who won gold as took the honours and effortlessly threw the spear to a 90m mark thrice. Anderson is the reigning world champion, and he saved his best throw for last launching the spear to a 90.54m mark in his sixth and final round. Before the world championship, Anderson had a record of his best, 93.94m, at the Doha Diamond League. In the finals, Anderson had a series of 90.21m, 90.46m, 87.21m, 88.11m, 85.83m, and 90.54m. 

Neeraj Chopra had however fouled in his first round as he stepped over the scratch line. He then came up in the second round as he threw the spear at a graceful 82.37m. He then improved it to 86.37m in his third round but was still out of medal contention. In his fourth round, he threw the spear of 88.13m to move into the second position next to Anderson.