At the Ostrava Golden Spike meet, Lt Col Neeraj Chopra, India’s celebrated Olympic and World Champion javelin thrower, showcased his prowess with a remarkable gold medal-winning throw of 85.29 metres. This early mark in the competition proved to be unbeatable, allowing him to secure the top spot ahead of South Africa’s Douw Smit, who achieved a throw of 84.12 metres, and Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who managed 83.63 metres.
While Chopra experienced a foul on his final attempt, his opening throw solidified his dominance in a field where no athlete surpassed the 86-metre mark. Although the distance fell short of his personal best, it served as a testament to his remarkable consistency and his status as a leading figure in global athletics.
Following this victory, Lt Col Chopra is set to return to India for the much-anticipated Neeraj Chopra Classic scheduled for July 5 in Bengaluru. This event is poised to attract several international athletes, including Peters and Germany’s Thomas Röhler, promising a thrilling display of javelin expertise on home turf.
Earlier in June, Chopra had already claimed victory at the prestigious Paris Diamond League. He also put in a commendable performance during the Doha leg, where he led the competition until being narrowly surpassed by Julian Weber, who launched a throw exceeding 90 metres in the final round. This recent string of performances underscores Chopra’s exceptional abilities and his position as a formidable competitor in the sport.
