By Soumya Ranjan Neeraj Chopra, a two-time Olympic medallist, finished eighth with a best throw of 84.03 meters, placing him outside the top two for the first time since 2021. Sachin Yadav, meanwhile, finished fourth in Tokyo with a throw of 86.27 meters, setting a personal best
India’s new javelin star is Sachin Yadav, a 25-year-old who finished fourth at the World Athletics Championship on Thursday after setting a personal best of 86.27 meters in Tokyo. With a best throw of 84.03 meters, two-time Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra finished in eighth place, making it a disappointing event for the reigning champion. On his first try, Sachin made his best throw.
Neeraj did not place in the top two for the first time since 2021. Arshad Nadeem, the gold medallist from the Paris Olympics, finished 10th with his best attempt of 82.75 meters on his third try, meaning there was no India vs. Pakistan rivalry in Tokyo.
Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago won his first world championship since winning the gold at the 2012 Olympics. Walcott launched his spear 88.16 meters into the air. The 32-year-old won his first world championship medal by dominating the competition in a windy National Stadium, throwing the two longest throws of the night.
Anderson Peters of Grenada added a silver medal to his gold medals from the 2019 and 2022 world championships by finishing second with a throw of 87.38 meters. Curtis Thompson took third place with an opening throw of 86.67 meters, earning the United States their first world championship medal in the event since 2007’s Breaux Greer.
How did Neeraj Chopra turn out?
The world no. 2 started in fifth place with 83.65 meters. Before fouling in the third round, he enhanced his performance with a throw of 84.03 meters. Neeraj struggled in his last two throws on a slick track as the rain continued to pour down. On his fourth try, he threw a disappointing 82.86 meters, slipped on his follow-through, and ended the competition with a foul throw on his fifth try.
Neeraj threw his spear 84.85 meters earlier in Wednesday’s qualification round. With a best throw of 85.01 meters, Neeraj actually placed second in the Diamond League Final.