- Thursday, April 25, 2024
By: ANI
Star Indian javelin throw athlete Neeraj Chopra made history on Thursday (8), becoming the first-ever Indian to win the prestigious Diamond League trophy, a top-tier athletics competition, achieving the best throw of 88.44 metres (m) to clinch one of the biggest wins of his career.
His best throw of 88.44 m came in his second attempt. Chopra did not get off to a good start as his first attempt was declared a ‘no throw’. Meanwhile, Jakub Vadlejch took the lead with a throw of 84.15 m.
Chopra made his way back into the competition with a superb throw of 88.44 m in his second attempt, which pushed him to the top of the table. Vadlejch was chasing him with a throw of 86.00 m.
The Olympic gold medalist continued with the momentum gained during the previous throw, throwing the javelin to the distance of 88.00m. He maintained his lead throughout the third attempt by all athletes. Vadlejch, his closest competitor lost momentum as his throw was declared a ‘no throw’.
The fourth attempt saw Chopra throw the javelin to a distance of 86.11 m. At the end of the fourth attempt, Chopra was still in the lead, with Vadlejch being his closest challenger with a throw of 86.94m in his fourth attempt.
Chopra threw the javelin to the distance of 87.00 m. He still remained in the lead at the end of five attempts by all players, with Vadlejch chasing him with a throw of 83.95 m in the fifth attempt, but he was still quite far from the star Indian athlete.
With one attempt to go, Chopra looked all set to make history for India in athletics. His final attempt covered a distance of 83.60m. Other athletes had so much time to outdo Chopra, but they could not do it this time around either and Chopra won the final with the best throw of 88.44 m that came in his second attempt. Vadlejch had a final chance but blew it after fouling his throw.
Earlier in August, Chopra clinched the javelin throw competition at the Lausanne Diamond League with a best throw of 89.08m.
With his best throw at the event, Chopra became the first Indian to clinch the prestigious Diamond League Meeting title with a win in Lausanne.
Neeraj had qualified for the Diamond League Finals after this win.
The parents of Chopra expressed their happiness after their son achieved a rare feat.
Saroj Chopra, his mother, understood the magnitude of his son’s achievement and yet very politely and humbly wished for him to keep working hard and make the country proud.
She also disclosed she had not been able to talk with the ace javelin thrower for the past 12-13 days.
“We wish that he keeps working hard and keeps delivering for the country. I have not been able to talk with him for the past 12-13 days. I do not exactly know the date of his return to India. He may venture out for sightseeing before he comes home. We thank God that he was able to recover so quickly and participate to win this competition,” she told Asian News International.
His father was also delighted with his son’s achievements and talking to the reporter, he said, “Very proud of my son that he has won the gold medal in the Diamond League held in Zurich. I am very happy for the entire nation and my family after his win.”
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday (9) congratulated Chopra on his feat, tweeting, “Congratulations to @Neeraj_chopra1 for scripting history yet again by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Diamond League Trophy. He has demonstrated great dedication and consistency. His repeated successes show the great strides Indian athletics is making.”
