'No one had thought that a para-athlete can throw 70m when I started the game. Now, I am able to do it. So, we will try to throw 75m or 80m.'
Neeraj Chopra pipped two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada for the top spot in the 2024
His first throw of 88.39 metres earned him automatic qualification for the final.
Before Rani, Kashinath Naik and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra had won a bronze and a gold in men's javelin throw in the 2010 and 2018 editions respectively.
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, has been named a Laureus ambassador, joining other sports icons like Neeraj Chopra and Yuvraj Singh in promoting the power of sport for social change.
Competing in his first Olympics, Chopra took just a few seconds to make to the final round, to be held on Saturday, sending the spear well past the qualifying mark of 83.50 metres during the Group A qualifications.
Karnataka continues to lead the Khelo India Tribal Games with impressive performances in race walking and middle-distance running, while Chhattisgarh secures a spot in the football final.
D P Manu, who finished sixth at the World Championships last year, is yet to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Anju Bobby George says Parul Chaudhary among ones to watch out for
Annu Rani swelled India's medal tally at the Asian Games, winning a bronze in the women's javelin throw with a personal best of 59.53 metres, in Incheon, on Wednesday.
'In Doha, the 90m throw was really good, but technically I don't want to say that was perfect.'
Neeraj-led four Indians to compete in Doha Diamond League on May 16
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar participated in an event in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district as part of a grassroots sports initiative aimed at transforming the once Maoist hotbed into a thriving sports hub and opening new avenues for the youth.
Sumit Antil clinched a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games javelin throw F64 event with a world record effort of 73.29m.
India's world champion Neeraj Chopra dethroned Grenada's Anderson Peters to reclaim the number one spot in men's javelin throw world rankings following a string of brilliant performances on the international stage recently.
Clearly, Chopra was not at his best in the season's Diamond League grand finale. He had three legal throws out of the six attempts.
Chopra and Nadeem will be facing each other one year after the mouth-watering men's javelin competition in Paris on August 8, 2024, when the Pakistani had beaten the Indian for the gold with a stunning 92.97m throw.
The maiden edition of Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event will be teeming with stars as the likes of Anderson Peters of Grenada and Thomas Rohler of Germany are taking part.
Outperforming the likes of Neeraj Chopra and Julian Weber in his debut World Championship is a nice feeling but India's new-found javelin throw talent Sachin Yadav says it cannot make up for the disappointment of "letting slip" an unlikely bronze after a strong start.
Devendra Jhajharia and Sundar Singh Gurjar continued India's splendid showing in athletics at the Tokyo Paralympics by winning the silver and bronze medal respectively in the men's javelin throw F46 event in Tokyo on Monday.
'I'm looking forward to what 2026 has in store. I started my preparation in early November. As always, the goal is to stay healthy, and I am already excited to be competing again soon.'
Neeraj Chopra made it look effortless as he sealed his spot at the World Athletics Championships with a stunning first throw in Tokyo on Wednesday.
'I wanted to step out there and give my best for India despite all the challenges but it wasn't my night.'
The pipping ceremony of Olympic gold medallist and Lt. Colonel (Honorary) Neeraj Chopra was held on Wednesday in New Delhi, marking another significant milestone in his decorated career.
Rinku Hooda and Ajeet Singh finished third and fourth respectively in the men's F46 javelin throw final on Friday, but the result was put on hold after India lodged a protest that Herath was ineligible to compete in the category.
The AFI started National Open Javelin Throw Championships in 2018 and its third edition is scheduled in October this year.
Ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, widely admired for his humility and poise, on Saturday acknowledged the greatness of India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who he believes can be a javelin throw star.
'Family members asked me not to come empty-handed, I am sure they'd be happy'
Another Indian in the final Sandeep Chaudhary finished fourth with a season-best of 62.20m.
Gulveer Singh shattered a decade-old meet record, high-jumper Pooja Singh delivered a personal best show, while heptathlete Nandini Agasara rose to the occasion after a setback as the trio added three more gold medals to India's kitty on the penultimate day of the 26th Asian Athletics Championships.
The star-studded 12-man event, to be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, will feature seven of the best javelin throwers in the world and five Indians, including Chopra.
Chopra qualified for this year's DL Final in fourth place after competing in two of the four qualifying legs.
'I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don't think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.'
Neeraj Chopra said with Czech great Jan Zelezny by his side as his coach and with his own determination, he is confident of good results.
Following is India's schedule on Thursday, Day 13 of competition at the Paris Games:
Gulveer finished ninth in men's 5000m heat two with a time of 13 minutes 42.34 seconds, his worst of the season and well below his national record time of 12:59.77.
'At the previous edition in Kobe, India won 17 medals. With a stronger team this time, I am confident we will surpass 20 medals and create history on home soil.'
'When I threw in the warm-up, I knew I would do well. I thought I would touch 67-68. But I got a gold medal at 66m.'
'I am relieved it is coming together well for me. A win is a win and I will take that happily.'
Competing in her second consecutive final in the showpiece event, Rani, who has a season's and personal best of 63.82m, achieved her best of the day on her second attempt but failed to cross the 60m mark in her other five throws.
