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.
Sumit Antil clinched a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games javelin throw F64 event with a world record effort of 73.29m.
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.
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.'
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.
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.
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.
Chopra qualified for this year's DL Final in fourth place after competing in two of the four qualifying legs.
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.
The AFI started National Open Javelin Throw Championships in 2018 and its third edition is scheduled in October this year.
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.'
'Family members asked me not to come empty-handed, I am sure they'd be happy'
'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.
'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.'
Another Indian in the final Sandeep Chaudhary finished fourth with a season-best of 62.20m.
India is set to host its first-ever National Indoor Athletics Championship in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant step towards hosting the World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028. The event will feature a 200m track and various field events, providing a novel experience for Indian athletes.
Dharambir and Atul win silver and bronze for India in World Para Athletics C'ships
Neeraj Chopra said he needs to work harder on his core muscles and fine tune his technique to consistently throw 90m-plus distances in international competitions.
Out of the 14 DL meetings, four have men's javelin throw on their roster.
Sachin Yadav, who will be competing in his first international competition in the Asian Championships, is considered the next big thing in men's javelin after Neeraj Chopra.
Following is India's schedule on Thursday, Day 13 of competition at the Paris Games:
Neeraj Chopra said he will need to work harder on his core muscles and make his body stronger to consistently log 90-plus distances in international competitions.
Weightlifter Priteesmita Bhoi broke the world youth record in clean & jerk on way to clinching gold in the girls' 44kg category at the Youth Asian Games in Manama, Bahrain, on Sunday.
This edition of the championship holds critical importance as it serves as the final selection trial for the Indian contingent heading to the prestigious New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships later this year.
Neeraj Chopra's streak of top-two finishes at events continued as he secured the second spot with the best throw of 85.01 m during the competition.
the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 is set to showcase a world-class line-up of elite javelin throwers from across the globe -- Thomas Rohler (Germany), Julius Yego (Kenya), Curtis Thompson (USA) Martin Konecny (Czech Republic), Luiz Mauricio Da Silva (Brazil), Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka), Cyprian Mrzygod (Poland).
'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.
National record holder in women's javelin throw, Annu Rani would consider herself to be lucky to make it to the squad as she has been struggling for some time to reach the 60m mark.
Hujefa Daware had bent down to tie his shoelace and didn't realise the pointed object was moving towards him, an official said.
India tops medal table in SAAF Senior C'ships; Lankan star Pathirage clinches javelin gold
If the two-time Olympic medallist Indian wins gold on September 18, the day of the finals, he will become the third men ever to win the world championships javelin title in two consecutive editions.
India win four medals in athletics, hold on to fifth spot at Asian Youth Games
History was made under the Doha lights as Neeraj Chopra finally broke the 90-meter barrier - a mark he had chased for years.
The squad comprises 17 men and 11 women athletes with some of the other prominent names being Asian Games champions Avinash Sable, Tejinderpal Singh Toor along with sprint hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, to name a few.
Images from Day 5 of the Paralympic Games in Paris on Monday, September 2, 2024.
