Who can stop Neeraj Chopra in his quest for gold at Paris Olympics? A look at his top opponents

New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra will be eyeing his second consecutive gold medal as he gears up to defend his men’s javelin throw title in the final at the Paris Olympics 2024. Neeraj kicked off his title defence in style with a magnificent throw of 89.34m in the qualifying round. The monstrous throw earned him direct entry into the final and also saw him top the charts in the qualifying round.

The reigning Olympic and world champion headed into the Paris Olympic high on confidence having won multiple titles in the last couple of years. Neeraj’s first attempt in the qualifying round was enough to seal his spot in the final. India’s ‘Golden Boy’ will now look to successfully defend his gold medal in the final on Thursday, June 08 and script history in Paris.

Though Neeraj has already sounded a warning to his opponents in the final with his season-best throw of 89.34m in the qualification round, it won’t be a cakewalk for the Indian in the final. The defending champion will be up against some of the best in the world in the final and will have to be on top of his game to bag India’s first gold medal at the Paris Games.

India have so far won only three bronze medals at the Paris Olympics and all of them have come in shooting. Hopes of millions back home are pinned on Neeraj, who is arguably India’s last major gold medal contender at the ongoing Games. However, the defending champion will have to fend off competition from some of the biggest names in world javelin to grab the top spot on the podium.

Neeraj Chopra’s biggest opponents in men’s javelin final at Paris Olympics 2024:

1) Jakub Vadlejch

Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch is one of Neeraj’s bigger rivals in the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris Olympics. He is currently ranked no.1 in the world ahead of Neeraj, who is in the 2nd spot. Vadlejch won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 with a throw of 86.67m where Neeraj clinched gold. Vadlejch, who has a personal best of 90.88m, threw 85.63m in the qualifying round on Tuesday and can pose a threat to Neeraj’s gold medal chances in Paris.

2) Anderson Peters

Anderson Peters of Grenada is one of the best javelin throwers in the world. He is a two-time world champion and has a personal best of a staggering 93.07m which he recorded at the Doha Diamond League in 2022. Peters missed out on a medal in Tokyo but will be one of Neeraj’s closest rivals at the Paris Olympics 2024. Peters qualified for the final with an impressive throw of 88.63m in the qualifying round in Paris.

3) Arshad Nadeem

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem has also been a close rival of Neeraj, though he is yet to beat the Indian in any major competition. Arshad headed into the Paris Olympics after a long layoff due to injury but warmed up in style with a throw of 86.59m in the qualifying round to reach the final. Arshad has a personal best of 90.18m and won a silver medal at the World Championships in Budapest last year. Nadeem can be a major challenger for Neeraj if the Pakistani athlete can produce his best in the final.

4) Julian Weber

Germany’s Julian Weber is also among the top contenders who can rival Neeraj for the elusive gold medal in the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Thursday. Weber is heading into the final as the current world no.3 and won a silver medal at the European Championships earlier this year. Weber has a season-best of 88.37m and he threw 87.76m in qualification to finish on top of Group A.

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 Neeraj Chopra will be up against some of the best javelin throwers in the world as he gears up to defend his title in the men’s javelin final at the Paris Olympics 2024. Here is a look at some of Neeraj’s biggest opponents in the final who can stop him from clinching his second succssive Olympic gold medal in Paris.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today