Asian Games 2023: Neeraj Chopra of India clinched victory with a season-best throw of 88.88m, overcoming competition from compatriot Kishore Jena, who achieved a personal best with a throw of 87.54m.
Neeraj Chopra, a pioneering figure in Indian athletics, secured a remarkable victory in javelin at the Asian Games, adding to his illustrious list of accomplishments that include Olympic and world titles.
The competition, held at the Hangzhou Olympic stadium, encountered a moment of confusion when officials failed to record Chopra’s mark after his first throw. Despite this technical mishap, Chopra showcased his prowess with a remarkable throw of 88.88 meters on his fourth attempt, surpassing his previous achievement in Budapest by over 70 cm.
The unexpected glitch led to a pause in the proceedings as officials deliberated the situation. In a sportsmanlike gesture, Neeraj Chopra agreed to repeat his first throw, stating, “I didn’t have any other choice as it was disturbing the other competitors, too.” This unusual circumstance marked a first for him in competitions, highlighting the challenges that athletes may encounter.
Chopra’s teammate, Kishore Jena, also demonstrated exceptional skill, securing a silver medal with a personal best of 87.54 meters.
The resilience and performance of the Indian athletes contributed to a historic medal haul, surpassing their previous record with over 80 medals. The significance of this achievement was underscored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to commend the athletes for their unparalleled dedication and sporting spirit.
As India celebrates this unprecedented success, the nation’s athletes showcased their prowess across various events, medaling in six out of eight track and field titles on the same day.
Archers Ojas Pravin Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam contributed to the record-breaking medal tally by winning the mixed team compound event, further amplifying the sense of pride and accomplishment for India on the international sporting stage.