Neeraj Chopra Becomes First Indian to Win Gold in Javelin Throw at World Championships

With every stride Neeraj Chopra takes down the runway, a sense of certainty prevails – the certainty that he will clinch a medal. This notion has been solidified by the countless victories he has achieved, making him a force to be reckoned with in the realm of javelin throwing. As he stepped onto the stage of the World Championship final in Budapest, he was already adorned with nearly every significant accolade, except one.

At the National Athletics Centre on a Sunday night, 24-year-old Chopra carved his name into the annals of athletic history by securing the coveted missing piece in his collection – the World Championship gold. This achievement stands as his second massive triumph, following his silver medal from the previous year.

Chopra's winning throw covered a distance of 88.17 meters, a feat that didn't even breach his top-five throws. However, his exceptional prowess lies in his innate ability to gauge the conditions and rise to the occasion, securing his rightful place on the podium. This time, the gold at the World Championships joins his remarkable Olympic gold.

World Champion. What a feeling.
India, this is for you.
जय हिन्द | 🇮🇳#WACBudapest2023 pic.twitter.com/iOwtzNsao5

— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) August 28, 2023

 

88.17 Meters for 🥇

Neeraj Chopra becomes 1st 🇮🇳 athlete to win a gold medal at the #WorldAthleticsChampionships 😍

Watch the best of #Budapest23 - FREE only on #JioCinema ✨#WAConJioCinema pic.twitter.com/le562o9zp2

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) August 27, 2023

During the event, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem emerged as the closest contender to challenge Chopra. Nadeem, who previously clinched the Commonwealth Games gold with a throw exceeding 90 meters, commenced on a slower note with a 74.80-meter throw. Gradually, he progressed to 82.18 meters before unleashing his best effort of 87.82 meters, propelling him into the second spot.

Nadeem's physical approach raised concerns about a potential late surge from him. Yet, fate did not align in his favor. Adding to the day's success for Indian javelin throwers were Kishore Jena, securing fifth place with an 84.77-meter throw, and DP Manu, securing sixth place with an 84.14-meter effort. The Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch clinched the bronze with an 86.67-meter performance.

Chopra's journey in the championship was not devoid of challenges. Despite a no-mark in the first round, he demonstrated his remarkable resilience in the subsequent rounds. Sporting a white headband to keep his hair at bay, Chopra executed a seamless throw in the second round that turned out to be his best of the evening. Even before the javelin landed, he turned toward the crowd, arms raised in triumph – a trademark celebration indicative of his impressive feat. Chopra's composure under pressure, his unflustered demeanor, and his ability to deliver when it matters most are traits that consistently define his performances.

In the realm of athletics, investing emotions in Chopra's triumphs is akin to entrusting one's assets in gold. This is attributed to his unparalleled consistency, a trait not often associated with Indian athletes.

While greatness is not solely defined by numbers, they do recount a tale of remarkable achievements. Chopra's tale is nothing short of astonishing. His groundbreaking gold-winning distance of 87.58 meters at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago doesn't even break into his top 10 throws.

Of his top 10 throws, nine have materialized post the Summer Games. Among these, his best stands at 89.94 meters, while his shortest is 88.13 meters. Throughout his career, Chopra has consistently thrown over 88 meters on 10 occasions, over 85 meters 26 times, and over 82 meters an impressive 37 times. These numbers aptly cement his reputation for unwavering consistency, a quality not often seen in Indian athletics, which has witnessed instances of stars faltering on the global stage. Indeed, the last time Chopra missed out on a top-three finish was nearly five years ago.