Picture Credit: Twitter
Neeraj Chopra just needed 12 seconds on Friday to qualify for the men's javelin throw final of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene. Chopra comfortably crossed the qualification mark set at 83.50m. The reigning Olympic champion started the men's javelin throw Group A qualification round with a massive 88.39m to qualify for the final on his very first throw.
This is Chopra's third-best throw of all time. Along with the Indian star, Czech Republic's Olympic silver-medalist Jakub Vadlejch also qualified for the final with his first attempt as he had an 85.23m throw. Chopra and Vadlejch are the only competitors from Group A to seal direct qualification for the final round on Sunday.
After completing his qualification, Neeraj Chopra talked about how he hopes that his friends also qualify for their respective finals. He said, “It was a good start. I am also happy for Jakub [Vadlejch]. I hope my friends can also make it today. I'll give my 100% in the final. We'll see. Every day is different. I'll just give my best. We don't know who can throw far on any given day.”
“There are so many throwers in good shape now. Five-six throwers have thrown PBs this year. They are all in excellent shape. There is a little bit of zigzag in my run-up. I shook a little bit, but it was a good throw”, Neeraj added.
Along with Chopra, his countryman Rohit Yadav also qualified for the final as the 21-year-old recorded a throw of 80.42m to finish 11th. This is Yadav's first senior-level international event.