New Delhi: Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra comfortably won the gold at the Sotteville Athletics meet in France, beating a competitive field which included 2012 London Olympics gold medallist Keshorn Walcott.
The junior world record holder threw the spear to 85.17m to secure the yellow metal. Neeraj had another 85-plus throw when he cleared a distance of 85.12m in his third attempt. His remaining three other throws were 75.55m, 79.46m and 81.27m in his first, second and fourth attempts.
Maldova’s Andrian Mardare’s was second with a throw of 81.48m, while Lithuania’s Edis Matusevicius (79.31m) bagged bronze. Waclott of Trinidad and Tobago was fith with a best attempt of 78.26m.
The 20-year-old Indian from Panipat had first made headlines when he won the gold in the 2016 World Junior Championship with a record throw of 86.48m. He however, failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics the same year.
He also won the gold at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast earlier this year before breaking the national record with an 87.43m effort at the Doha Diamond League, where he finished fourth.
“Well done Neeraj…keep going…Congratulations to Neeraj and coach Uwe Hohn (former world record holder in javelin throw). Thank you SAI and Govt of India for agreeing to send Neeraj to Finland along with coach for training on recommendation of Athletics Federation of India (AFI),” AFI President Adille Sumariwala tweeted praising the youngster.
A confident Chopra will definitely be aiming for another shot at gold when he will be in action in at the Jakarta Asian Games, next month.
Soon after his achievement, Neeraj was congratulated by former India cricketer Virender Sehwag. “Congratulations Neeraj Chopra on the gold medal with an effort of 85.17m in Sotteville Athletics Meet beating the 2012 Olympic champion. Wishing you even more success always,” Sehwag posted on his Twitter handle.
