Neeraj Chopra Qualifies for Javelin Throw Final at Olympics 2024

He came, he threw, and he conquered. With the weight of a nation on his shoulders, Neeraj Chopra kicked off his title defense with a massive throw in the qualification round of the men’s javelin event at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Tuesday. Leading Group B in the qualification phase, Chopra achieved his personal best with a throw of 89.34m in his first attempt. India’s golden boy has entered the final of the men’s javelin event.

The reigning Olympic and world champion arrived in Paris with a season-best throw of 88.36m at the Doha Diamond League. Neeraj set the national record with his sensational throw of 89.94m at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022. The javelin superstar has thrown below the 85m mark twice since winning gold for India at the Tokyo Olympics.

Neeraj Tops Group B; Kishore Jena Bows Out

India’s Kishore Jena was in Group A while Neeraj launched his gold medal bid from Group B on Day 11 of the Summer Games in Paris. Jena qualified for the men’s javelin event at Paris with his throw of 87.54m at the Asian Games last year. However, Jena failed to cross the 87m mark after earning an automatic berth for the Paris Games. Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch, Germany’s Julian Weber, former world champion Anderson Peters, and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem are Neeraj’s top rivals at the Paris Olympics.

Explained: Men’s Javelin Qualification Round

At the Paris Olympics 2024, the men’s javelin throw event is conducted over two rounds—a qualification round and the final medal round. As many as 32 javelin throwers are competing in the men’s event at the Paris Games. The qualifying rounds have two groups—A and B. Athletes can secure their berth in the final by throwing 84.00m or more, which meets the approved entry standard at the Olympics.

Key Highlights:

• Defending champion Neeraj Chopra entered the final from Group B with his personal best throw of 89.34m.
• India’s Kishore Jena ended his qualifier with his third throw (80.21m).
• Kenya’s Julius Yego (85.97m) became the third athlete to enter the final.
• Jena fouled his second throw.
• Jakub Vadlejch entered the javelin final with a throw of 85.63m.
• Julian Weber recorded the best throw (87.76m) from Group A in the qualification round.
• Kishore breached 80m (80.73m) in his first attempt.
• Thirty-two athletes are competing in Group A and Group B.
• Only 12 athletes will qualify for the men’s javelin final at the Paris Olympics.
• India’s Jena is in Group A alongside medal contenders Weber and Vadlejch.