Debutant Neeraj Chopra qualifies for the finals of the Tokyo Olympics javelin in his first attempt
Top Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra, making his Olympic debut in Tokyo, threw a massive 86.65 metre in his first attempt on Wednesday (August 4) to easily qualify for Saturday’s final (August 7). The qualifying mark for the final was set at 83.5m, but Chopra didn’t need a second attempt to clear it. No one could come close to Chopra’s mark in Group A of the javelin qualification, with 2017 World Champion Johannes Vetter coming in second with a throw of 85.64m.
Debut Olympics. Debut Throw. Debut Final. 🤩#IND's @Neeraj_chopra1 qualifies for #Tokyo2020 men's javelin throw FINAL by throwing an impressive distance of 86.65m in his very first attempt! 😱#StrongerTogether | #UnitedByEmotion | #Olympics
— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) August 4, 2021
Chopra, who is competing in his first Olympics, took only a few seconds to advance to the final round, which will be held on Saturday, after sending the spear well past the qualifying mark of 83.50m during the group A qualifications. The 23-year-old Indian exited the javelin arena after his first throw, having easily secured his spot in the final.
Shivpal Singh, the other Indian in the competition, will present his challenge later in the day in Group B.