Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra sets new Federation Cup meet record

Neeraj Chopra surged ahead with an opening throw of 85.63m in the javelin throw final at the Federation Cup athletics championship. Since he wasn’t challenged by his rivals, it turned out to be winning throw. The previous best was 79.65m set in 2015 by Davinder Singh.

The poster boy of Indian athletics Neeraj Chopra was a big draw at the Federation Cup athletics championships being held here at the National Institute of Sports on Friday. Fans had something to cheer about as the world junior champion in javelin throw set a meet record of 85.63m, which was also his season’s best.

Neeraj Chopra’s all five attempts in the final of the javelin throw event at the Federation Cup athletics championships in Patiala, Punjab, were all above the 80 metre mark. (Getty Images)

The Haryana thrower, whose set a national record of 86.48m last year at the Under-20 World Championships in Poland, was the most consistent among the 12 finalists.

Chopra surged ahead with an opening throw of 85.63m. Since he wasn’t challenged by his rivals, it turned out to be winning throw. The previous best was 79.65m set in 2015 by Davinder Singh.

Chopra expressed satisfaction saying the result was good. “It shows that I am on the right track for major competitions including the Worlds in August,” he added.

Chopra’s other five attempts were also above the 80m mark. His nearest competitor was Davinder Singh of Punjab who won silver with a throw of 83.82m, which he achieved in his fourth attempt. The bronze went to Abhishek Singh of Uttar Pradesh with a throw of 76.57m.

Since Hohn will join the national squad in September, he has agreed to train the top throwers in Germany.