Neeraj Chopra Targets Olympic Javelin Title Defense in Paris

Neeraj Chopra, India's reigning Olympic javelin throw champion, is poised to defend his title at the upcoming Paris Olympics. His remarkable performance at the World Championships, where he qualified for the final and the 2024 Paris Olympics with a first attempt of 88.77m, has solidified his status as a formidable contender.

Chopra's journey to the top has been marked by consistent excellence. At the Tokyo Olympics, he etched his name in history by securing India's first-ever athletics gold medal with a best throw of 87.58m. He became the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra (2008) to win an individual gold at the Olympics and the first Indian since independence to earn a medal in athletics at the Games.

Post-Tokyo, Chopra has maintained his impressive form. In June 2022, he set a new personal best of 89.30m at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland, breaking his own national record. He further surpassed his record with a throw of 89.94m at the Stockholm Diamond League, where he finished second.

Chopra's historic silver medal at the Oregon World Championships in July 2022 was followed by a gold at the Lausanne Diamond League, which also qualified him for the Zurich final. He emerged victorious in the final with a throw of 88.44m, becoming the first Indian to do so and securing his spot at the 2023 World Championships.

In May 2023, Chopra topped the Doha Diamond League with an 88.67m throw, propelling him to the top of the men's javelin rankings by World Athletics. His golden performance at the World Athletics Championships in August 2023, with a throw of 88.17m, further cemented his dominance. He concluded the season with a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games, achieving a season-best throw of 88.88m.

Chopra's unwavering determination and exceptional talent make him a strong favorite to defend his Olympic title in Paris. His consistent performances and unwavering focus on improvement bode well for India's hopes of another historic triumph in athletics.

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