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Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic silver medalist, expressed his disappointment and sadness over the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat at the Paris Olympics. Phogat, who had initially defeated Japan's Yui Susaki in her opening bout, was disqualified for being overweight by approximately 100 grams.Chopra, who witnessed Phogat's triumph before his own qualification, was deeply affected by the news. "Whatever she has done here is an example," he said. "To beat Yui Susaki is a huge achievement. And after that, what she has been through... I don't understand the rules of wrestling well, but she was confidently on her way to gold."Chopra acknowledged Phogat's remarkable journey, overcoming physical setbacks and injuries throughout her career. "Vineshji's journey has been tough," he said. "In 2016, she overcame a dangerous injury, and in 2020, she had more injuries. She has been through so many personal setbacks.""For her to come back from that, recover, and get herself to this position, it was going so well," Chopra continued. "But then, maybe God wished something else for her. But we know that whatever she has done is great."Chopra's empathy for Phogat stems from his own understanding of the challenges and sacrifices involved in Olympic competition. "I haven't spoken to Vinesh yet, but I felt hurt for her," he said. "I know how much hard work and dedication it takes to get to this level."Despite the disappointment, Chopra remains optimistic about India's performance at the Paris Games. "We have a lot of talented athletes who are capable of winning medals," he said. "We just need to stay focused and give our best."

India's Olympic medal drought at the Paris 2024 Games ended with a silver medal from javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who fell short of defending his Tokyo gold but secured India's first podium finish in the French capital.Chopra's best throw of 89.45 meters, recorded in his second attempt, was a season-best but not enough to surpass Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who claimed the gold with a monumental throw of 92.97 meters, breaking the Olympic record.The competition began tensely, with Chopra, Nadeem, and Julian Weber all committing fouls on their first attempts. Nadeem, however, quickly turned things around with a throw that surpassed the 90-meter mark, putting pressure on Chopra.Chopra responded with his second attempt, but another foul on his third try left him trailing Nadeem. After three rounds, four competitors were eliminated, leaving Chopra to face fierce competition from Jakub Vadlejch, Anderson Peters, Julius Yego, and Weber.In the fourth round, Peters took the lead with an 88.54, while Chopra fouled again. Nadeem played it safe, staying within bounds but managing only a 79.40-meter throw. Despite the dip in distance, Nadeem remained in the lead, with Chopra holding onto second place.More fouls from Chopra in the fifth round allowed Nadeem to extend his lead. With just one throw left for each competitor, Chopra fouled again, sealing his fate with a silver medal. Nadeem's gold was guaranteed even before his final throw, which he celebrated with a gigantic 91.79-meter throw.Chopra's silver medal brings India's medal count at Paris 2024 to five, with a chance for another on Friday. After Swapnil Kusale's bronze in the men's 50m rifle 3 position final, India went six days without winning a medal before Neeraj's silver and the men's hockey team's second consecutive bronze on Thursday evening.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy in javelin throw, is poised to make history once again as he prepares for the men's javelin final at the Paris Olympics 2024. The reigning Olympic champion, Chopra, made a resounding statement in the qualification round with a monstrous throw of 89.34m, topping the field with ease.However, the road to defending his title will be far from straightforward. The competition in Paris is fierce, with nine throwers surpassing the automatic qualification mark of 84m, compared to just six in Tokyo. Five of these elite athletes, including Chopra, qualified for the final with their first throws, indicating the depth of talent in the field.Chopra, now 26, is no stranger to the global stage, having competed for over eight years. He is aware of the challenges that lie ahead and is determined to etch his name in Olympic history. If he manages to secure gold, he will become only the fifth man in Olympic javelin throw history to successfully defend his title.The Indian star has the potential to become the most decorated Indian Olympian in individual sports. Currently, he is tied with shuttler PV Sindhu, wrestler Sushil Kumar, and shooter Manu Bhaker, who have each won two Olympic medals. A medal of any color in Paris would elevate Chopra to the pinnacle of Indian Olympic history.The men's javelin final is scheduled to take place on August 8, 2024, at 11:55 pm IST. The event will be broadcast live on Sports 18 and streamed online on Jio Cinema. Indian fans will be eagerly awaiting Chopra's performance as he aims to bring glory to the nation and cement his legacy as one of the greatest javelin throwers of all time.

India's javelin star Neeraj Chopra has begun his Olympic title defense with a resounding performance in the qualification round at the ongoing Paris Olympics. Chopra's opening throw of 89.34m was his season best and just shy of his personal best (89.94m), securing him a direct entry into the final.Chopra's impressive throw in Group B was the second best of his career and showcased his remarkable fitness despite battling an adductor niggle in the lead-up to the Games. The 26-year-old reigning world champion topped the qualification round, which combined Group A and B, with his monstrous throw.Two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada finished second in Group B with a throw of 88.63m, while Julian Weber of Germany, who won Group A with 87.76m, was third overall. Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan also qualified for the finals with a throw of 86.59m in Group B.Chopra's performance has sparked excitement among Indian fans, with cricketer Rishabh Pant making a bold promise on social media. Pant pledged to give Rs 1,00,089 to a lucky winner who likes and comments on his post if Neeraj wins gold on Thursday.Other Indian celebrities, including a parody account of star batter Virat Kohli, have also promised to reward fans if Chopra secures the gold medal. These gestures reflect the immense support and admiration for Chopra, who is widely regarded as one of India's greatest athletes.Chopra's qualification performance is a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional talent. As he prepares for the men's javelin throw final on Thursday, the nation will be rooting for him to repeat his historic gold medal victory from the Tokyo Olympics.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy of athletics, has embarked on his quest for Olympic glory once again at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Arjuna Award winner made a resounding start to his campaign, qualifying for the javelin final with an impressive throw of 89.34m in Paris.Chopra's performance has ignited a wave of optimism among Indians, who are eagerly anticipating another medal-winning performance from their star athlete. The javelin throw event is set to commence shortly, and the nation is holding its breath in anticipation of Chopra's title defense.Social media has been abuzz with reactions to Chopra's qualification, with many expressing confidence in his ability to clinch the gold medal. "Neeraj Chopra is ready to make history again with his golden arm," wrote one fan. Another added, "Golden boy Neeraj Chopra."If Chopra emerges victorious today, he will not only add a gold medal to India's Olympic tally but also become the first Indian athlete to win multiple individual gold medals at the Olympics. This would be a historic achievement for both Chopra and Indian sports.Chopra's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by determination and hard work. After creating history at the Tokyo Olympics by becoming the second Indian to win an individual gold medal, Chopra has continued to push himself to new heights.In Tokyo, Chopra clinched the gold medal with a throw of 87.58m in his second attempt. His victory marked a significant milestone for Indian athletics, as he became the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in a track-and-field discipline in over 120 years.Chopra's success has inspired a new generation of Indian athletes and has brought renewed attention to the sport of javelin throw. His performance in Paris is eagerly awaited, and the nation is confident that he will once again make India proud.

Day 13 of the Paris Olympics promises to be a pivotal day for India, with Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in men's javelin throw, set to defend his title in the final. Chopra's impressive qualification throw of 89.34m on his first attempt has positioned him as the frontrunner in the event. If successful, he will become only the fifth man in Olympic javelin throw history to retain the title and the first Indian to win multiple gold medals in singles events.Meanwhile, the Indian men's hockey team will face Spain in the bronze medal match after a narrow 2-3 defeat to Germany in the semi-final. Harmanpreet Singh and his teammates will be determined to secure a podium finish for the second consecutive Olympics.In wrestling, Aman Sehrawat and Anshu Malik will begin their campaigns in the round of 16 matches in the men's 57kg freestyle and women's 57kg freestyle categories, respectively.Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will represent India in the women's individual strokeplay round 2 golf event.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy in athletics, is poised to make history at the Paris Olympics. After the disappointment of Vinesh Phogat's disqualification, Chopra will take the field on Thursday, August 11, aiming to become the first Indian athlete to win multiple individual gold medals at the Games.Chopra's qualifying throw of 89.34m, the second-best of his career, has set him up for a strong performance in the final. Despite a nagging adductor niggle, Chopra displayed his characteristic nonchalance, walking off the field after his single throw.The competition will be fierce, with two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and reigning Commonwealth Games champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan among the contenders. However, Chopra's season-leading mark and his ability to perform under pressure make him a formidable opponent.Chopra has carefully managed his events this season, competing in only three competitions. He has also tweaked his training regimen to enhance his power, working with strength and conditioning expert Spencer Mackay to improve his snatches and clean and jerks.The final will be contested under cooler, windier evening conditions, which Chopra acknowledges will present a different challenge. However, he remains confident in his ability to adapt and deliver a strong performance.If Chopra succeeds in defending his Olympic title, he will join an elite group of javelin throwers who have won back-to-back gold medals. He will also become only the fourth Indian to win multiple medals at the Games.Despite the pressure and expectations, Chopra remains focused on his goal. His unwavering determination and exceptional talent make him a strong contender for gold in Paris.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy of athletics, made a triumphant start to his Paris Olympics journey on August 26, 2024, which was aptly dubbed "Neeraj Chopra Day" by the official Olympics X handle. The reigning Olympic champion and India's only medalist in athletics in independent history, Chopra breezed into the men's javelin final with a season-best throw of 89.34m in the qualification round.Chopra's dominance was evident from the outset as he was the first to take his attempt in Qualification B. With his very first throw, he surpassed the automatic qualification mark of 85m, securing his place in the final. The Olympics X handle celebrated the moment, tweeting, "Happy Neeraj Chopra day, to all those who celebrate. The reigning champ is back in Olympic action for today's Men's Javelin qualifiers, could he be adding another medal to his collection soon?"The final, scheduled for Thursday at 11:55 pm IST, promises to be a thrilling affair. Speaking to JioCinema after his qualification, Chopra acknowledged the differences in conditions between Tokyo and Paris. "In Tokyo, we threw in the sunshine and here it's a bit cooler and the humidity is much lesser. Tokyo was much warmer and more humid than Paris. The big difference is that there are crowds here," he said.Despite his impressive performance in the qualification round, Chopra remained focused on the task ahead. "Final will be a cracker, the Tokyo final mark has already been surpassed by qualification. We were a little relaxed today. The burden and pressure will be much more in the final," he added.Chopra also addressed his recent injury concerns, stating, "I have had a few issues with my groin and that is why I did not take part in a lot of competitions. It is important to stay fit and reach the final."Chopra's performance in the qualification round has set the stage for a thrilling final, where he will aim to defend his Olympic title and add another chapter to India's sporting history.

Neeraj Chopra, India's reigning Olympic and world champion in javelin throw, has made a resounding start to his Paris Olympics campaign by topping the qualification round with a season's best throw of 89.34m. This is the second consecutive Olympics where Chopra has finished first in the qualification.Chopra's throw was a statement of intent, sending a clear message to his rivals that he is in top form and ready to defend his Olympic title. The qualification standard was set at 84.00m, and Chopra's throw was well above that mark.The other Indian in the fray, Kishore Jena, could not make the 12-man final, with his best attempt being 80.73m. The qualification round was highly competitive, with five of the 12 finalists posting their season's best throws.Chopra's main rivals include Czech Jakub Vadlejch, who has a personal best of 90.88m, and Germany's Julian Weber, who threw 87.76m in the qualification. Pakistan's Nadeem Arshad, who was placed in the same group as Chopra, also managed an automatic qualification with a season's best throw of 86.59m.Chopra's ability to switch gears and touch peak performance at the biggest events is what makes him truly extraordinary. He is a rare Indian athlete who is a favorite for gold in a track and field event."The mindset and situation of a qualification and final are completely different. You have to just focus on the fact that you've had a good start and now you put in your best preparation towards the final," Chopra said after the qualification.Chopra said his adductor is feeling better after he pulled out of the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in Czechia last month as a precautionary measure. He is confident that he will be fully prepared for the final, which will be held in the evening session.Chopra's friend and on-field rival Weber spoke of spending time together with the Indian at the Games Village. "We talked a lot. He's calm, and in good shape," Weber said.In Paris, Chopra is bidding to do what no Indian athlete has ever done before – win two successive Olympic gold medals. India so far has only three medals to show from this edition of the Games – all of them bronze – with curtains coming down on the Olympics in less than a week's time.