Paris Olympics: Why first throw is crucial, explains Neeraj Chopra after topping qualifying round

New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra began his Olympic javelin title defence with a bang, topping the charts in qualifying in Paris on Tuesday. The reigning champion threw a distance of 89.34m to confirm qualification to the main round with his first throw itself.

It was his best throw of the season and was well above the qualification mark of 84m. Chopra had won gold at Tokyo 2020 with a distance of 87.58m that he achieved in his first attempt three years ago.

The 26-year-old later explained why he wants to throw the farthest in his first throw itself, instead of taking a couple of throws to get his body warmed up, as is the norm among javelin throwers.

“I try to be good in the first attempt but it doesn’t always happen. It has happened in the past when the first throw did not come good. (But) I try to do better in the first attempt,” Chopra said, before rushing off to take rest.

The 89.34m throw was Chopra’s his second best career effort after 89.94m in 2022. He would have stiff competition for the gold medal from two-time world champion Grenada’s Anderson Peters (88.63m), Germany’s Julian Weber (87.76m) and reigning Commonwealth Games champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan (86.59m).

‘Feeling good’

Chopra had struggled with an adductor muscle niggle in the build-up to Paris 2024 but ended all doubts with his 89.34m throw, saying later that he is fit and fine.

“I am better now. I will focus on the final. I am trying to keep it in mind and warm up properly. I am feeling better now. I will try to do my best in the final,” the reigning world champion said, adding that he expects the final round to be much tougher.

“In the final, everyone has a different mindset. We should focus on the fact that we have started well and the better we are prepared for the finals, the better,” he said.
“I am very confident and motivated to perform well. I am trying to save my best for the final. That’s the real thing. I am feeling very good, we will try to come with better preparation.”

“Before the throw I thought it will be very good if we do it in the first attempt, we can go and do some stretching, relax and then we can prepare for the final. After the throw, I felt very good. We are ready for the final.”

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 Neeraj Chopra threw a distance of 89.34m to confirm qualification to the main round with his first throw itself at Paris Olympics on Tuesday.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today