Neeraj Chopra scripts history with silver in javelin, becomes 2nd Indian to clinch World Athletics Championships medal

Neeraj Chopra has done it again! A year after becoming the first Indian to win a track and field gold medal at the Olympic Games, the Indian star has become only the 2nd Indian to win a medal in the World Athletics Championships. Neeraj won the silver medal in the men’s javelin at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA on Sunday, April 24.

Neeraj Chopra had to overcome a slow start as the 24-year-old from India showcased nerves of steel in the final as he fended off stiff competition to finish on the podium.

Neeraj Chopra won the silver medal with a best throw of 88.13m in the men’s javelin final. Defending champion Anderson Peters retained his title with a stunning best throw of 90.14m. In fact, Peters threw twice in excess of 90m to lay down an early marker and put pressure on the rest of the field early.

Anderson Peters became only the 2nd man to retain the World Athletics Championships men’s iavelin title. He threw thrice in excess of 90m in the final and finished with his best throw of 90.54m. Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch took bronze with a best throw of 88.09m.

ANDERSON PETERS WINS GOLD, NEERAJ SILVER

Screengrab from World Athletics Championships

Neeraj began with a foul, adding to the nerves of the billions who woke up on Sunday morning to watch their golden boy in action. Neeraj managed just 82.39 in his first legal throw and improved it to 86.37m but it was not enough to put him on the podium as Tokyo Oympics siver medalist Jakub Vadlejch had thrown 88.09m while Germany’s national champion Julian Weber had shot into third with 86.86m throw.

However, Neeraj kept his calm and trusted himself to deliver the big throw. It came in the 4th attempt when he let out his trademark roar after hurling the spear into the evening sky in Oregon.

The reading read 88.13m and Neeraj knew he had done enough for a podium finish. The Olympic champion faced the camera and acknowledged the applause from the crowd.

NEERAJ COMPLETES SPECIAL SET

Neeraj Chopra now has completed the set of major medals. The 24-year-old, who failed to qualify for the final in 2017 World Athletics Championships and missed out in 2019 due to an injury, won his maiden medal at the world meet.

Neeraj Chopra now is the Olympic champion, Asian Games champion, Commonwealth Games champion and a silver medalist the World Athletics Championships.

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