India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has once again brought pride to the nation with a stellar performance. Competing at the Potchefstroom Invitational Track Tournament in South Africa, Neeraj clinched the top spot by throwing the javelin to a distance of 84.52 meters, securing first place at the World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger event.
The tournament featured six participants, but only Neeraj Chopra and South Africa’s Douw Smit managed to cross the 80-meter mark. Smit finished second with a best throw of 82.44 meters, while Duncan Robertson, also from South Africa, came third with a throw of 71.22 meters.
Although Neeraj’s throw was slightly below his personal best of 89.94 meters, the victory significantly boosts his confidence ahead of the upcoming Diamond League tournaments. Neeraj is currently training under his new coach, Czech Republic’s Jan Železný, a three-time Olympic champion and world record holder in javelin.
previous records of Golden Boy
Neeraj Chopra is the only Indian javelin thrower to have won two Olympic medals — a gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He recorded his personal best of 89.94 meters in 2022 and has been consistently striving to break the 90-meter barrier ever since.
Neeraj is set to begin his elite season on May 16 at the Doha leg of the Diamond League. Given his recent performance, it’s clear that Neeraj is in great form and ready to shine on the global stage once again.
About Neeraj Chopra
Neeraj Chopra has emerged as one of India’s most iconic sports personalities, known for revolutionizing the javelin throw scene in the country. Born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra village of Haryana, Neeraj is the son of Satish Kumar and Saroj Devi. His journey from a small-town athlete to an Olympic champion is nothing short of inspirational.
As a child, Neeraj struggled with weight issues, which eventually led him to the local sports stadium in Panipat. There, he discovered his passion for javelin throw. Recognizing his potential early on, he began formal training at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula. His natural talent and dedication quickly set him apart from his peers.