Neeraj Chopra men’s javelin throw finals Tokyo Olympics LIVE Updates: Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday evening. The Indian achieved the feat in the men’s javelin throw finals, after defeating the likes of world number one Johannes Vetter.
Neeraj kicked-off the proceedings with a gigantic 87.03m and then aced it up in the second attempt by reaching the 87.58m mark. However, the third and fourth attempt by the Indian didn’t count.
Neeraj’s opening 87.03m was enough to secure him the yellow metal at the Tokyo Olympics as none of the twelve participants touched the mark.
Neeraj had qualifed for the finals with a monstrous 86.65m throw and had also topped the qualifying round.
This was also India’s first medal in athletics in the Olympic history.
Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen holds the Olympic record with a 90.57m, which he achieved in Beijing Olympics in 2008. While the world record, which is 98.48m is held by Czech Republic’s Jan Železný, a milestone scripted in 1996.
Catch the LIVE updates from men’s javelin finals at Tokyo Olympics:
The event is underway Moldovan athlete Andrian Mardare throwing 81.16m in his opening attempt. Neeraj too starts with a bang as he opens his account in the finals with a gigantic 87.03m throw. This is better than what he threw in the qualifying round.
So far only German javelin thrower Julian Weber has come close to Neeraj with a 85.30 attempt. His closest opponent Vetter records 82.52m in the first attempt.
Pakistan’s Nadeem starts with a poor run-up but still manages to eclipse 82.40 in his opening attempt.
Neeraj closes as the top athlete after first attempt by all the twelve participating athletes. And now he has once again bettered his previous throw as he records 87.58m mark in the second attempt. The Indian knew right from the moment he released the javelin as he put his hands up in joy.
Neeraj’s biggest nemesis Vetter slips on the track, right after releasing the javelin and his second attempted is called foul. Pakistan’s Nadeem also meets with the same fate and Weber, who has so far been the closest behind the Indian throws 77.9m in his second attempt.
The Indian still leads the charts after the second attempts by the twelve participating athletes.
Neeraj drops in the third attempt as he only manages 76.79m, however, he is still at top due to his previous record. Meanwhile, Crezh Republic’s Vítězslav Veselý, who kicked-off the proceedings with a 79.73m and 80.30m has suddenly jumped to the second place with an 85.44m.
As things stand, Neeraj leads with his 87.58m throw in the second attempt, followed by Veselý at the second position. The third place is currently held by Weber for his 85.30m mark in the 1st attempt.
After three attempts, Neeraj’s biggest threat and world number one is out of the medal race. The German finishes ninth after the first three attempts, which automatically sends his out of contention. Vetter recorded 82.52m in first attempt, boul conceded fouls in the next two attempts.
All the eight javeling throwers have completed their fourth attempt and top-placed Neeraj and second-placed Veselý will not be counted. Meanwhile, the charts are still the same after four attempts, with Neeraj at top with 87.58m, Veselý at second with 85.44m and Weber at third with 85.30m.
A brilliant fifth attempt by Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, who has tumbled his countrymen, Veselý to jump on the second spot. Vadlejch records 86.67m in his second attempt.
