Xtra Time Web Desk: Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra will lead the Indian contingent in the javelin event on Friday at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest. Neeraj, along with DP Manu and Kishore Jena, will aim for a strong showing ahead of Hangzhou Asian Games starting next month.
25-year-old Neeraj aims to establish his dominance before defending his title at the Paris Olympics next year. He has excelled in his career so far, clinching the Olympic Gold in Tokyo and securing India’s first gold in the men’s javelin event at the Diamond League final last year. He also became India’s first-ever silver medallist at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene.
Competing in Group A alongside 37 other throwers, Neeraj looks to etch his name in history by exceeding the 90m mark, an accomplishment that’s eluded all this year. Despite holding the third spot among the season’s best throw of 88.67m, Neeraj remains confident in his potential, banking on favourable conditions for a breakthrough.
Neeraj’s performance will be closely observed, alongside the defending champion Anderson Peters, who has struggled since an injury. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, the Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medallist, is another figure of interest, aiming to rebound from a recent knee surgery.