Neeraj Chopra clinches Gold at Federation Cup

Neeraj Chopra, Federation Cup

India’s Olympic gold medalist and reigning World Champion Neeraj Chopra continued his winning streak. He secured the top spot in the men’s javelin throw event at the ongoing Federation Cup on Wednesday. The competition, held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, saw Chopra winning the gold medal with a best throw of 82.27 meters.

While the gold medal adds another feather to Chopra’s already impressive cap, the final itself was a nail-biting affair.

Close fight between Neeraj Chopra and DP Manu

The competition started with Chopra launching a decent throw of 82 meters in his first attempt. However, DP Manu, the Asian Athletics Championships silver medalist, stole the initial lead with a throw of 82.06 meters in his very first attempt.

Chopra’s second attempt was declared a foul, putting him temporarily behind Manu. However, the champion javelin thrower bounced back with a throw of 81.29 meters in his third attempt. Despite Chopra’s comeback attempt, Manu still maintained the lead at this point.

The turning point arrived in Chopra’s fourth attempt. He unleashed a powerful throw that landed at a distance of 82.27 meters, surpassing Manu’s best effort and securing the lead. Unfortunately for Manu, he couldn’t regain his top position. His fourth attempt yielded a throw of 81.47 meters, followed by two fouls in his subsequent attempts. With the lead firmly in his grasp, Chopra opted to skip his final two throws, solidifying his place as the champion.

A Night of Mixed Results for Other Competitors

While Neeraj Chopra and Manu battled for the top two positions, other contenders faced a less fortunate turn of events. Asian Games silver medalist Kishore Jena had an unspectacular night, recording fouls and inconsistent throws throughout the competition. His best throw of the evening was a mere 75.49 meters, placing him outside the podium positions.

Uttam Patil, however, managed to secure a bronze medal with a throw of 78.39 meters. His performance earned him a place on the podium after theĀ 5thĀ round of throws.

This victory at the Federation Cup marks Chopra’s second competition of the 2024 outdoor athletics season. He commenced his season in impressive fashion at the Doha Diamond League last week, clinching the silver medal with a throw of 88.36 meters. The Federation Cup also signifies Chopra’s return to national-level athletics events in India. His last national competition was the 2021 Federation Cup, where he clinched the gold with a throw of 87.80 meters.

Neeraj Chopra’s victory at the Federation Cup hasĀ gainedĀ praise and congratulations. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik lauded Chopra’s achievement, expressing his hope that the champion athlete will continue to achieve even greater milestones in the future.

Neeraj Chopra’s consistent performance and dedication continue to inspire aspiring athletes across India. With his sights set onĀ gold at Paris Olmpics 2024, Chopra’s victory at the Federation Cup serves as a strong reminder of his exceptional talent and determination.