18-year-old Neeraj Chopra shatters world under-20 javelin record

NEW DELHI: Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra broke a world record on Saturday, becoming the first Indian sportsperson in this category to win a title at the world U-20

NEW DELHI: Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra broke a world record on Saturday, becoming the first Indian sportsperson in this category to win a title at the world U-20 athletics championships.

HT Image

The 18-year-old’s feat came as a silver lining for Indian sports on a gloomy day, when Rio-bound wrestler Narsingh Yadav failed a dope test.

The javelin thrower’s massive second throw of 86.48 mat the meet in Bydogszcz, Poland, shattered the old mark of 84.69m set by European champion Zigsimunds Sirmais of Latvia. After opening with 79.66m, which was eclipsed by South Africa’s Johan Grobler (80.59m), Chopra virtually eliminated the competition with his second try. His third attempt measured 78.36m, and the fourth was a foul.

Although Chopra bettered the Rio qualifying mark of 83m, it came too late as the deadline for meeting the Olympics norm was July 11. “My ultimate target was to qualify for the Olympics, but I didn’t make it. My other goal was to win at the World U-20 Championships,” he said.

Nevertheless, Chopra was delighted with his record. “It’s an incredible feeling. I was feeling strong and confident before the event, and after the first throw, I was sure I could go farther,” he said. Chopra said he didn’t expect to throw over 86m. “But in the last couple of months, I have worked hard on my fitness and technique, and it all paid off,” he added. The top-ranked junior in 2016, he was being trained for the last two months by India’s Australian javelin expert, Garry Calvert, at the Olympic Training Centre in Spala, Poland. “Garry sir has been a huge source of knowledge and help,” he said.

Chopra had equalled the senior national record — 82.23m — at the South Asian Federation Games in February.