New Delhi [India], September 18 (ANI): After celebrity javelin thrower and Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra failed in his title defence on the ongoing World Athletics Championships, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Devendra Jhajaria, a former para-javelin athlete himself, backed Neeraj to come back good and win a gold quickly, saying {that a} ‘participant by no means looses, he all the time learns’.
Indian Olympic gold medallist Neeraj’s title defence on the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 was unsuccessful, as he completed in eighth spot after what was a particularly underwhelming evening for him, ending a streak of 26 top-two finishes in javelin throw occasions.
Meanwhile, Sachin Yadav, his compatriot, had a a lot better exhibiting, ending fourth within the competitors.
The world javelin title went to Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott, who managed the most effective throw of 88.16 m, marking his first World Championship gold 13 years after his Olympic triumph in London. At the second spot was Anderson Peters, the 2024 Olympics bronze medallist with a greatest throw of 87.38 m, adopted by America’s Curtis Thompson with a throw of 86.67 m.
Speaking to the media, Devendra mentioned, ‘A participant by no means loses; he all the time learns. Neeraj is one among our greatest athletes. If you miss out on a medal, it does not imply your efficiency is down. Many components contribute to elimination, equivalent to coaching and sleep. Neeraj has given two medals to the nation. He opened India’s medal tally within the Olympics. He has created historical past in each method. He will come again 100 per cent and win a Gold medal quickly.’
Fans couldn’t get the most effective of the India-Pakistan rivalry between Neeraj and Arshad Nadeem, as Neeraj completed eighth with a greatest throw of 84.03 m, whereas the Olympic champion Nadeem ended at tenth with an 82.73 m throw as his greatest.
In the primary spherical, Julian Weber kick-started the proceedings with a throw of 83.63. Neeraj Chopra, the defending champion, began his defence with a throw of 83.65 m, whereas his arch-rival and Pakistan’s Olympic champion, Arshad Nadeem, began with a throw of 82.73 m. However, Curtis Thompson took a lead with 86.67 m. For India, a younger Sachin Yadav confirmed off with a wonderful throw of 86.27 m, outdoing Neeraj. At the tip of the fifth spherical, Thompson was within the lead, adopted by Sachin, Anderson Peters, at 84.59 m, and Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, in fourth with 84.38 m. Neeraj was within the fifth spot.
In the second spherical, Weber did a lot better with a throw of 86.11 m, however Anderson’s 87.38 m turned a brand new benchmark to be overcome as he took the lead. Neeraj’s second throw was 84.03 m. Sachin’s second throw turned out to be a foul; nevertheless, he managed to remain at fourth spot behind Keshorn Walcott, who took a lead in spherical 2 with a throw of 87.83 m, and Peters and Thompson. Neeraj was method behind within the seventh spot, nonetheless looking for that monster throw. Nadeem was within the ninth spot. It was an uncommon state of affairs for Neeraj on the finish of the second spherical, who usually occupied the rostrum proper from the beginning.
Starting the third spherical, Weber fouled, whereas Peters managed simply 82.83 m. Nadeem’s javelin lined a distance of 82.75 m, whereas Neeraj fouled out. However, Julius Yego, who had received the world title method again in 2015, needed to go away due to a groin damage. Sachin threw one other 85-plus throw, touching 85.71 m. At the tip of spherical three, Neeraj was within the eighth spot, whereas Sachin was in fourth, under Keshron, Peters and Thompson.
Nadeem began the fourth spherical with a foul; he couldn’t enhance on his greatest throw and ended his marketing campaign on the tenth spot. Neeraj’s struggles continued as he threw 82.66. Sachin’s fourth throw was 84.90 m, protecting him in fourth place solely. Keshorn prolonged his lead with an enormous throw of 88.16 m. At the tip of the fourth spherical, Keshorn, Peters and Thompson held the highest three spots
In the fifth spherical, Neeraj was lastly out, as he couldn’t enhance on his greatest end, ending in eighth spot. India’s hopes of medals rested on Sachin, who managed 85.96 m on his fifth try and stayed within the hunt at fourth spot. In the ultimate spherical, Sachin managed a throw of 80.95, ending in fourth place. (ANI)