Xtra Time Web Desk: After the disappointing performances from the Indian athletes so far in the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, finally there is some good news. India’s star athlete and Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra sailed into the final round of javelin event on Friday. He topped the qualifying round with season’s best throw of 88.77m in his first attempt. This effort saw Neeraj gaining a direct entry into the final scheduled on Sunday. The automatic qualifying mark was 83.00m.
The distance of 88.77m also saw Neeraj Chopra breach the Paris 2024 Olympic entry standard in javelin throw. The qualification mark for the men’s javelin throw in Paris 2024 is 85.50m.
“I had a couple of good throws during my warm-up and I felt confident that I would make it past the first round,” Neeraj Chopra said after qualifying for the final.
“I have not competed much this year because I wanted to protect myself from injuries ahead of this competition,” Neeraj explained. “I’ll give my everything at this year’s world championships final on Sunday.”
India’s Manu DP and Kishore Jena also made the cut for Sunday’s final. Manu finished sixth overall by throwing 81.31m while Kishore ended up ninth with a throw of 80.55m.