World Athletics Championships: Neeraj Chopra wins silver with a throw of 88.13m

With this, Chopra has become the second Indian and the first Indian to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships.

Earlier, famous long jumper Anju Booby George was the first Indian to win a bronze medal at the 2003 World Championships in Paris.

The World Athletics Championships is being held in Eugene, Oregon.

Grenada’s Anderson Peters won the gold with a throw of 90.54m.

Chopra started with a foul throw and finished fourth after three rounds with 82.39m and 86.37m. He regained his momentum with a massive fourth round throw of 88.13m, the fourth best effort of his career, to jump to second place, which he maintained till the end. His fifth and sixth throws were fouls.

Grenada’s defending champion Andersen Peters won the gold with a best throw of 90.54m, while Olympic silver-winner Jakob Vadledge of the Czech Republic took the bronze with 88.09m.

Chopra had topped the Group A qualification round and qualified for the final in second place behind Peters 88.39m For the third best throw of his career. Peters topped Group B with an effort of 89.91m.

Another Indian, Rohit Yadav finished 10th with a best throw of 78.72m. Rohit finished 11th overall in the qualification round with a best throw of 80.42m.

After his historic victory, PM Modi praised Chopra, saying it was a great achievement.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “A great achievement by one of our most iconic athletes! Congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1 on winning the historic silver medal at the #WorldChampionships. It’s a special moment for Indian sports. Neeraj for him.” Best wishes. Upcoming endeavours.”

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur wrote, “Neeraj Chopra continues his winning streak! Wins men’s javelin throw at @WCHoregon22 with his best throw of 88.13m, becoming the first Indian man & second Indian to win a medal at #WorldChampionships Neeraj now wins medals in every global event!”

The 21-year-old Indian had recorded a season and personal best of 82.54m, winning a silver at the National Inter-State Championships last month.

Earlier in June, chopra He also set a new national record in the Stockholm Diamond League with an opening throw of 89.94m.

Chopra won Indian athletics’ first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year. He is only the second Indian to win an individual gold at the Olympics after shooter Abhinav Bindra, who won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games.

(with inputs from PTI)

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