Press Trust of India
New Delhi, May 23: India’s javelin sensation Neeraj Chopra produced his best form since the SAF Games to clinch the silver medal but still missed the Olympics qualification mark at the Zygmunta Selesta Memorial in Warsaw, Poland.
With an effort of 79.73 metres that earned him the silver medal and another throw of 81 metres which was declared null, the 19-year-old Chopra kept his Rio hopes alive after finishing second, behind local boy Grzeszczuk, who threw 83.50m late last night.
Slovakia’s Zenuch took the third position with a best throw of 77.07 metres while the other Indian men thrower in the fray, Vipin Kasana finished seventh. The Olympics qualification standard for men’s javelin is 83 metres and so far Chopra has performed 82.23 metres at SAF, 79.52 metres at the Ist Indian GP and 79.51 metres at Rehlingen Gemany Weltklasse meet respectively this season.
In the women’s section, 2014 Asian Games bronze medalist Annu Rani also won the silver medal, but her throw of 56.76
metres was almost six metres behind the OG qualification mark. The other Indian women in the reckoning, Suman Dev finished in fourth place with a best effort of 56.27 metres.
Polish ladies, Andreczyk was the leader with a thumping margin, with a best throw of 64.08 metres while her compatriot Kakol finished in third place with an effort of 56.64 metres.
Earlier, Chopra was scheduled to compete in Halle, Germany on the same day, but India’s foreign expert Garry Calvert said he decided to switch the promising youngster to a tougher competition in Warsaw.
