Xtra Time Web Desk: Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra created history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday, August 28. The star Indian javelin thrower threw 88.17m in his second attempt which was enough for him to earn the top spot.
It was also India’s 3rd medal at the World Athletics Championships after Anju Bobby George’s bronze medal in women’s long jump and Neeraj’s silver medal at the World Championships last year in Eugene.
The 25 year old’s first throw was foul but he came back strongly in his second attempt to throw 88.17m. Neeraj’s remaining four attempts were 86.32m, 84.64m, 87.73m, 83.98m.
Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won silver with a season best throw of 87.82m. Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch settled for bronze with a throw of 86.67m
It was a great showing from the other two Indian contestants who were in the 12-man final field. DP Manu, the Asian Athletics silver medalist, finished 6th with a best-effort of 84.14m while Kishore Jena, finished 5th with a new personal best of 84.77m.
It was the first time three Indians made it to the final of men’s javelin in World Athletics Championships.