Neeraj Chopra returns to competitive meet in style, makes cut of the Tokyo Olympics

Star Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra made a strong comeback from injury by qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics at the Athletics Central North East Meeting League held in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Neeraj, who returned to action after recovering from an elbow injury, achieved this feat with an 87.86-meter throw at the Athletics Central North East meet in South Africa.22-year-old Indian athlete Neeraj Chopra, who missed the entire season of 2019 due to injury, topped the Olympic qualification mark of 85 meters in the fourth attempt during this international event. Another Indian player Rohit Yadav threw the spear 77.61 meters and finished second.

87.86 mtr
Feeling super awesome to be back in the competition mode.
Thank you everyone for your good wishes and supporting me always🙏जय हिंद 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/gO8iCMG8Di

— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) January 28, 2020

Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Neeraj said, “I am happy with the result because I went to the competition to be warm-up for the season. When I did well with the first three throws (all above 80 meters), I decided to push a bit more in the fourth attempt.”

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) also said that they’ve confirmed with their South African counterparts that it was a ‘recognized international meet’, and hence the Olympic cut has been made. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju also took to twitter to congratulate Neeraj for his qualification.

India's ace javelin thrower @Neeraj_chopra1 has qualified for #Tokyo2020. Neeraj threw 87.86m at the ACNW League Meet in South Africa and qualified for #Tokyo2020 after crossing benchmark of 85m. @KirenRijiju congratulates him on the qualification. pic.twitter.com/7CJZWqbfo4

— Office of Kiren Rijiju (@RijijuOffice) January 29, 2020

Neeraj Chopra also took to Twitter to thank his fans and supporters for their wishes and support as he tweeted, “Feeling super awesome to be back in the competition mode. Thank you, everyone, for your good wishes and supporting me always.”

Neeraj had last participated in 2018 in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, where he won a gold medal with a national record of 88.06 meters. Prior to the Asian games, he was also seen in action at the Commonwealth Games Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Neeraj had clinched gold in commonwealth games too. Following such performance, the star javelin thrower from India suffered an injury to the elbow which forced him to stay out of action.

Neeraj underwent surgery in May 2019 and started practice in September. He was expected to return to action at the National Championship late last year but the AFI did not give him clearance to participate in the event in order to give him more time to recover. While recovering from injury, Neeraj also missed the IAAF World Championship, Diamond League and Asian Championship.