Neeraj Chopra Qualifies for Paris 2024 Javelin Finals with 89.34m Throw; Kishore Jena Misses Out

On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra showed why he's a top contender for Olympic gold. At the Paris Olympics, Chopra threw an amazing 89.34 meters in his very first attempt during the qualifying round. This throw was more than enough to secure his spot in the finals. 

The qualifying mark was set at 84 meters, which Chopra beat by over 5 meters. His throw was not just his season's best but also the second-best of his career. Chopra's personal best is 89.94 meters, which he achieved in 2022. Chopra, who is 26 years old, won the gold medal at the last Olympics in Tokyo. He seems ready to defend his title in Paris. Before the Olympics, there were worries about Chopra's fitness. He had mentioned having some muscle pain. But his strong performance has put those concerns to rest.

In the same event, another Indian thrower, Kishore Jena, couldn't make it to the finals. Jena's best throw was 80.73 meters, which wasn't enough to qualify. Only the top 12 throwers or those who reach 84 meters move on to the finals.

Other strong performers in the qualifying round included Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who threw 86.59 meters, and Grenada's Anderson Peters, with a throw of 88.63 meters. Both will join Chopra in the finals.

The finals of the men's javelin throw will take place on Thursday. Fans of The Haryana Story covering sports news from the region, will be eagerly watching to see if Chopra can bring home another gold medal for India. Chopra's quick and powerful throw was the highlight of the day. He needed just one attempt to show he's ready for the big competition ahead. His performance has raised hopes for another Olympic medal for India in athletics. 

The Paris Olympics have already seen many exciting moments, and Chopra's throw adds to the list. As the games continue, all eyes will be on the javelin final to see if Chopra can repeat his golden success from Tokyo.