Indian 'Spear Man ' Neeraj Chopra wins gold, first medal for India in athletics

Agencies | New Delhi

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday evening. The Indian achieved the feat in the men's javelin throw finals, after defeating the likes of world number one Johannes Vetter. This was also India's first medal in athletics in the history of the Olympics.  

Neeraj kicked off the proceedings with a gigantic 87.03m and then aced it up in the second attempt by reaching the 87.58m mark. However, the third and fourth attempts by the Indian didn't count. In the fifth and final attempt, Neeraj threw 84.24m.  

Neeraj's opening 87.03m was enough to secure him the yellow metal at the Tokyo Olympics as none of the twelve participants touched the mark. 

Meanwhile, Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch and Vítězslav Veselý bagged the silver and bronze. Vadlejch best throw of 86.67m, which earned him the silver medal came in his fifth attempt. While Veselý threw 85.44m to finish third. 

Neeraj had qualified for the finals with a monstrous 86.65m throw and had also topped the qualifying round. 

Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen holds the Olympic record with a 90.57m, which he achieved in Beijing Olympics in 2008. While the world record, which is 98.48m is held by Czech Republic's Jan Železný, a milestone scripted in 1996.  

The event kicked off with Moldovan athlete Andrian Mardare throwing 81.16m in his opening attempt. Neeraj also started the contest on a great note as he threw 87.03m in his first attempt, which also was better than what he achieved in the qualifying round.

German javelin thrower Julian Weber was the closest to the Indian after an 85.30m throw in the first attempt, while Vetter recorded 82.52m in the opening round. Pakistan's Nadeem, who shared the podium, with Chopra started with a poor run-up but still managed to eclipse 82.40m in his opening attempt. 

Neeraj closed the opening round as the top performer and then went on to better his previous mark by recording the 87.58m marks in his second attempt. The Indian knew right from the moment he released the javelin as he put his hands up in joy. This throw then eventually helped Neeraj clinch the gold medal.  

Neeraj's biggest nemesis Vetter slipped on the track in his second and third attempts. Pakistan's Nadeem also met with the same fate and Weber, who was the closest behind the Indian threw 77.9m in the second attempt.

Neeraj drops in the third attempt and could only manage 76.79m, however, he was still at the top due to his attempt in the second round. Meanwhile, Crezh Republic's Vítězslav Veselý, who kicked off the proceedings with 79.73m and 80.30m, suddenly jumped to second place with an 85.44m throw in the third round. 

As things stood, Neeraj led the proceedings with his 87.58m throw in the second attempt, followed by Veselý at the second position. The third place was then held by Weber for his 85.30m mark, which came in the first attempt.  

After three attempts, Neeraj's biggest threat and world number one Vetter failed to progress to the next round. The German finished ninth after the first three attempts, which automatically send him out of contention. Vetter recorded 82.52m in the first attempt, boul conceded fouls in the next two attempts. 

Both Neeraj and second-placed Veselý's throws were not counted in the fourth attempt after both committed fouls. 

Then a brilliant attempt by Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch in the fifth round saw him tumble his countrymen Veselý, as he then jumped to the second spot. Vadlejch had recorded 86.67m in the fifth round.