Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena Highlights, Javelin Throw Paris Olympics 2024 Qualification round: Neeraj Chopra throws stunning 89.34m to reach final

Shashank Nair writes: Every time a knee dropped and an arm reached out, three women asked a question to Phogat’s defence on Tuesday, and each was met with a resounding wall. Guzman though, it could be said, persisted the most.

READ MORE - Plucky, dreamy, and pugnacious: Vinesh Phogat’s brutal takedown of Yusneylis Guzman

-Vinesh Phogat eyes gold

-Mirabai Chanu in medal contention

-Avinash Sable in Men's 3000m Steeplechase

-Antim Panghal begins campaign

Here's how India's schedule looks like on Day 12 of the Games. 

Vinesh Phogat started the day by slaying a giant and ended it by breaking a barrier. By making it to Wednesday’s final in the 50 kg category, she rose to a pedestal that no Indian woman wrestler has ever reached, writes Mihir Vasavda from Paris.

After overcoming the defending champion, the so-far unbeatable Japan’s Yui Susaki, in the first round, Phogat took down Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semi-final to be a win away from an Olympic gold. (READ MORE)

THIS JUST IN: Vinesh Phogat has bested Yusneylys Guzmán in Women's 50 Kg semifinal 5-0 and will now leave Paris with either silver, or gold. She becomes the first Indian woman, who will featuring in a Wrestling final at the Olympics.

Julius Yego, one of the automatic qualifiers for the javelin final, has one of the coolest backstories. Born in Kenya, a country known for endurance athletes, Yego wanted to be different. “I used to watch the guys throw a wooden javelin at primary school and I had an inner feeling I could throw better [than them] if I tried. My brother was doing well in javelin, so I tried my luck,” he said once.

But there was no real coaching available for him in Kenya to master the javelin. So what did he do? He learnt the sport watching YouTube videos of former world and Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen and 2007 world champion Tero Pitkamaki. The in 2011 he got a scholarship in Finland (the home of javelin) to hone his technique. He went on to become world champion in 2015 and Rio Olympics silver medallist.

It’s not just fans and followers of athletics in India. The anticipation for Neeraj Chopra to cross the 90m mark is entering international territory. Before the Diamond League meet in Doha this year, fellow Olympic and World Champion Miltiadis Tentoglou made a passing remark when asked if he has a dream number that he’d like to register in long jump one day: “Before I answer that, first of all, I will be very happy if Neeraj throws 90m tomorrow, truly happy.” 

Neeraj himself had said a couple years back: "Everyone has been asking about 90m throw, it will happen when the time comes, I don't have any pressure about it as such."

On Tuesday, he came close - yet again - to touching the mark. Will it happen in the all-important final?

Czech javelin star Jakub Vadlejch has emerged as Neeraj Chopra's primary challenger on the global stage sicne they shared the top two steps of the podium at the Tokyo Olympics. The two have consistently delivered thrilling competitions, with Jakub Vadlejch securing Olympic silver in Tokyo and a World Championship bronze in Budapest, both times finishing behind Neeraj Chopra.

Just like Neeraj Chopra, Jakub Vadlejch had a one and done qualification throw today. He heaved the javelin a distance of 85.63m, which is the sevent farthest distance thrown today in qualification.

Notably, Jakub Vadlejch claimed victory over Neeraj Chopra at the Qatar Diamond League earlier this year, demonstrating his exceptional form ahead of the Paris Olympics. His recent European gold medal, achieved with a season-best throw of 88.65 meters, further solidifies his position as a formidable opponent.

At the Paris Olympics, Jakub Vadlejch is undoubtedly one of the favorites to clinch the coveted gold medal along with Neeraj Chopra. His consistent performances and head-to-head record with Neeraj Chopra make him a formidable threat.

Just like Neeraj Chopra, Julian Weber had a one and done qualification throw today. He heaved the javelin a distance of 87.76m, which is the third farthest distance thrown today in qualification.

Here's why Julian Weber of Germany poses a significant threat to Neeraj Chopra's dominance in the javelin throw: With a personal best of 89.54 meters and a season's best of 88.37 meters, Germany's Julian Weber is a powerful force to be reckoned with in the men's javelin throw event. His silver medal finish at the European Championships, behind Jakub Vadlejch, underscores his consistent performance at the highest level.

Julian Weber's fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics will serve as a strong motivation for him to challenge for the top spot in Paris 2024. Julian Weber's combination of strength, technique, and competitive drive make him a formidable opponent for Neeraj Chopra.

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem has also made the cut for the finals with a throw of 86.59m, which is a season best throw. He has the fourth farthest throw of the afternoon.

What makes Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem an unpredictable contender in the men's javelin throw event? Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem is a wildcard contender in the javelin throw event.

Despite ranking outside the top 15 this season, Arshad Nadeem has a history of delivering exceptional performances on the biggest stage. His ability to produce unexpected results, as evidenced by his remarkable throws at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships, makes him a dangerous opponent for any athlete.

Arshad Nadeem's casual throwing style belies his immense talent and power. With the potential to unleash extraordinary throws, Arshad Nadeem is a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Meet Anderson Peters, The Resurgent Champion! 

Behind Neeraj Chopra, Anderson Peters had the second farthest throw of the qualification round: 88.63m. 

Grenadian javelin star Anderson Peters is a formidable force in the world of athletics. With a personal best of 93.07 meters, he has proven his ability to compete at the highest level and produce big throws. Despite facing setbacks, including a serious injury that hampered his 2023 season, Anderson Peters has demonstrated remarkable resilience.

His impressive season best of 88.63 meters (before qualification, his SB was 88.62 meters) in 2024 positions him as a strong contender for a podium finish at the Paris Olympics. As the former world champion, Anderson Peters brings a wealth of experience and competitive spirit to the event, making him a threat to any opponent.

Across the two groups in qualification today, Neeraj Chopra had the best throw of the qualification round. Kishore Jena unfortunately missed out. NINE throwers including Neeraj Chopra crossed the automatic qualification mark. Neeraj Chopra in fact needed just the single throw to qualify. One and done as they call it. The final will be on Thursday night at 11.55 pm IST.

Nihal Koshie on Neeraj Chopra's qualification throw: Water-cooler discussions have already begun and social media is buzzing about Neeraj crossing the 90-metre mark in the final. Chopra has been pestered with questions on when he would join the elite club of throwers and he himself has spoken about ambition of being a 90m-thrower.

Neeraj Chopra topped a fiercely competitive qualification round as a staggering nine athletes cleared the automatic qualifying mark. The level of competition is unprecedented, and while Chopra’s throw was impressive, it’s clear that the final will be a much tougher battle than his Tokyo triumph. This is shaping up to be an epic showdown.

It happened again today. Neeraj Chopra threw the Javelin, for the first time at Paris 2024, and knew immediately that it was enough to see him through. 

Speaking to The Indian Express last year at the Idea Exchange, he had spilled the beans on how he consistently knows when he's nailed a throw. 

'I have been training for 12 years. If you train for something this long and are constantly thinking about it, you naturally develop that understanding. Now the body knows if it is a good throw. Those early instinctive celebrations come automatically. The early celebrations don’t come if the throw isn’t good. Most throwers have that feel. In long jump, you will see (Murali) Sreeshankar or Jeswin (Aldrin) realise how their jump will go the moment they take off.' (READ MORE from the chat)

One and done for Neeraj! And a seasons best too ? pic.twitter.com/L68rHVgYcT

— Aniket Mishra (@aniketmishra299) August 6, 2024

For Neeraj personally, the challenge at Paris 2024 - to walk in as the defending champion - is one to relish: “Being defending champion is motivation and I need to be prepared. The mind should be focused on doing the job at hand.”

Comparing the conditions between Tokyo and Paris, Chopra stated: “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.”

Neeraj on the raised bar at Paris 2024: “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.”

The Olympic champion conceded to the host broadcasters, “I’ve had a few issues with my groin & that’s why I didn’t take part in a lot of competitions. It’s important to stay fit and reach the final.”

After cruising through to the men's Javelin Throw final at Paris 2024 with a season best throw, the reigning champion Neeraj Chopra spoke to Jio Cinema: “It was a good throw, but this is just the qualification, the real deal is the final.”

Nihal Koshie on Neeraj Chopra's qualification throw: The true mark of a great competitor is the ability to rise to the occasion and perform in a big final. Neeraj has proved time and again that he can be banked upon to finish on the podium whenever he steps up on the runway, be it the Olympic Games, the World Championship, the Asian Games and the Diamond League Final.

But Chopra barely celebrated his throw in the qualifying round. He knows only too well that there are dangerous competitors lurking at the Stade de France and all of them are hitting their stride. Grenada’s Anderson Peters, the 2022 World Champion also needed just one throw, 88.63 metres, and so did Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem with 86.59 metres. (READ MORE)

Neeraj Chopra has the best throw of the qualification round, as NINE throwers cross the automatic qualification mark. It's a VERY high quality qualification round and Neeraj, though strong with his throw, will know that he is in for a proper fight in the final. This is going to be closer than Tokyo, if you ask us. And it promises to be a cracker.

Thursday night, 11.55 pm IST.

AN AREA RECORD FROM BRAZIL! Luiz Mauricio da silva with 85.91m. Into the final.

Max Dehning is struggling. The latest entrant into the 90m club earlier, the German youngster is hovering around the 75m mark here. 75.10 with his 2nd attempt, has one more. Meanwhile, officially, Kishore Kumar Jena is out of contention for the final as he slips down to 14th at this point. 

Ththe men's javlin final is shaping up into an absolute cracker with SIX men hitting the automatic qualification mark and most of them making it look rather easy in doing so. After Arshad Nadeem, it's Anderson Peters' turn to deliver as stunning 88 throw.

And Paksitan's Arshad Nadeem, the casual athlete that he is, makes it look easy as he too cross the 84m mark. It's a fabulous 86.59m for the Pakistan star. Max Dehning meanwhile doesn't cross 75

One and done, as they say. Neeraj Chopra can rest, recover and come for the final. The Group B continues though, we will have Peters, Nadeem, Dehning soon.

89.34!!! NEERAJ CHOPRA!!! 

The best throw of his season. Didn't even look like he was pushing that much. But the arms go up... a hint of a smile. His job today is done. 

INTO THE FINAL. 

Not leong left for Neeraj... he will be the first to go in Group B. His competitors have laid down the marker,

Here's how Group A came to an end. Neeraj will be the first athlete in Group B... starting at 3.20 pm.

Julius Yego, one of the automatic qualifiers for the javelin final, has one of the coolest backstories. Born in Kenya, a country known for endurance athletes, Yego wanted to be different. “I used to watch the guys throw a wooden javelin at primary school and I had an inner feeling I could throw better [than them] if I tried. My brother was doing well in javelin, so I tried my luck,” he said once.

But there was no real coaching available for him in Kenya to master the javelin. So what did he do? He learnt the sport watching YouTube videos of  former world and Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen and 2007 world champion Tero Pitkamaki. The in 2011 he got a scholarship in Finland (the home of javelin) to hone his technique. He went on to become world champion in 2015 and Rio Olympics silver medallist.

From the land of Javelin, we have another AUTOMATIC QUALIFIER. Toni Karanen, who came in with a best of 84.19, goes past the Q mark with a superb throw of 85.27m! Oh wow. 

So that's FIVE automatic qualifiers from this group. Kishore Jena's chances are almost over of reaching the final as he currently lies 9th with Neeraj, Arshad, Dehningm Peters all to come in Group B.

Kenya's Julius Yego has also secured qualification into the final with a season best throw of 85.97 metres. He's only the third man to seal direct qualification into the javelin throw finals.

Here's the real cool story of Julius Yego. From a country that is known for producing endurance athletes, he became a field event legend. World Champion in 2015. Silver medallist at Rio Olympics. And all that because he started learning javelin from YouTube videos. 

Read more on World Athletics here.

Kishire Jena nearly oversteps with his 3rd attempt but manages to keep the feet in... but the javelin hasn't gone long enough. He crosses 80 again, but that is not enough for automatic qualification. And he faces a nervy wait to see how Group B goes. There are already 7 athletes ahead of him and it doesn't look good at this stage. 

Kishore Jena's second throw does not cross the 80m mark. So he intentionally fouls the attempt. He's running out of runway here to make the cut for the final. Remember, the qualification standard is 84 metres.

Amit Kamath

So two out of three attempts done in Group A and we have only two men crossing the automatic qualification mark of 84. Helander came close and he seems to have skipped his 2nd attempt. Perhaps he is confident of going through in top 12? That's very likely of course but could have tried to get the Q anyway. Bit strange that.

Just a reminder: 

All athletes meeting the Qualification Standard (Q) or at least 12 best performers (q) advance to Final. So if 14 athletes throw more than 84.00 then we will have 14 finalists. That is however unlikely to happen, so whoever clears 84m will qualify and then the next few in the list will go through until we have 12 finalists. 

Kishore Jena is unhappy with his second throw and deliberately bears the 'X' for a foul. He now has a lot of catching up to do with his final throw in Group A.

Keshorn Walcott improves remarkably with his second throw, moving up to the 83.02m mark.

Julius Yego pushes Jena down to the sixth spot in the Group with an 80.76m throw in his second attempt, marginally better than the Indian.

Leaders after the first set of throws

87.78 - Julian Weber (GER) Q
85.63 - Jakub Wadlejch (CZE) Q
83.81 - Oliver Helander (FIN)
82.48 - Genki Dean (JPN) - SB
80.73 - Kishore Jena (IND)

Jakub Vadlejch, the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist, is also done for the evening after the Czech republic star heaves the javelin to a distance of 85.63m. He has a Season Best of 88.65m and a Personal Best of 90.88m. 

But he will not be required to throw anymore today as he seals his spot in the final. 

So, Weber and Vadlejch are in the final.

Amit Kamath

Japan's Genki Dean starts with a SB of 82.48m and is currently placed third in the Group.

Weber does an arm raise, a little jig, and a bow as he realises his evening is one and done!

The spear sailed to 87.76 m mark, which means we'll now see him straight in the final. The German comes into the Paris Olympics after ending fourth at the Tokyo Games.

Amit Kamath

Jena starts with a throw of 80.73, way short of the automatic qualification mark, says Mihir. That's just short of his SB of 80.84m.

Qualification standard is 84, none of the first three throwers have met it. Helander is closest, but misses by 0.19. Jena next.

Mihir Vasavda from Stade de France

Finland's Oliver Helander starts with an 83.38m throw, just short of the automatic qualification mark. That's a decent start there for the 27-year-old.

And so Kenya's Julius Yego will open the qualification round. The Kenyan has a PB of 92.75m and a season-best of 81.74m. 

The athletes are limbering up as Group A qualification is set to start in about 5 minutes. A reminder that everyone who will hit the qualification mark of 84m or the top 12 throwers across the two Groups of 16 athletes each will qualify for the final.

Here is a look at the first group of javelin throwers that will be in action from 1:50 PM IST.

Group A:Julius Yego (Kenya), Oliver Helander (Finland), Leandro Ramos (Portugal), Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago), Kishore Jena (India), Teura’itera’i Tupaia (France), Julian Weber (Germany), Roderick Genki Dean (Japan), Alexandru Mihaita Novac (Romania), Dawid Wegner (Poland), Toni Keranen (Finland), Ihab Abdelrahman (Egypt), Curtis Thompson (USA), Patriks Gailums (Latvia), Pedro Henrique Rodrigues (Brazil), Jakub Vadlejch (Czechia)

The focus on breaking the 90-meter barrier in javelin throw has stayed a constant for Neeraj Chopra. After coming tantalizingly close with an 89.94-meter throw in 2022, the Indian star is determined to achieve this historic milestone.

The anticipation surrounding Chopra's 90-meter attempt has reached a fever pitch, with even rival athletes acknowledging the significance of this achievement. Greek long jumper Miltiadis Tentoglou expressed his desire to witness Neeraj Chopra's historic feat, highlighting the global interest in this milestone.

“I will be very happy if Neeraj throws 90m tomorrow, truly happy,” Tentoglou had said at the Doha Diamond League earlier this year.

While the focus on the 90-meter mark is undeniable, Neeraj Chopra remains composed and focused on delivering consistent performances. He understands the importance of staying healthy and maintaining his technique to achieve his ultimate goal. As the Paris Olympics began, the world eagerly awaits the moment when Neeraj Chopra's javelin soars beyond the coveted 90-meter mark.

“People have been asking me this question since 2018 when I threw 88.06 at the Asian Games,” Neeraj Chopra had said before the Doha Diamond League. “A lot of things happened after that, my elbow injury, the surgery and now I have been stuck between 88 and 90m. But I really want to break the barrier this year. Obviously, it is the Olympics year and India is a big country and everyone expects gold always. My focus is to just stay healthy and concentrate on my technique. And yes, if I stay healthy everything will be good.”

We all remember the throw he won to clinch gold in Tokyo, but a reminder that Neeraj not only comes into Paris 2024 as the reigning Olympic Games champion but also the current world champion. 

Relive his throw from Budapest 2023 here  

For Neeraj Chopra, consistency is key to Olympic gold defense

Neeraj Chopra's remarkable consistency has been a cornerstone of his success in the javelin throw. Since his historic gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian star has consistently produced world-class performances. His ability to maintain a high level of consistency is evident in his impressive record, with multiple throws exceeding 88 meters in recent years.

But the elusive 90-meter mark remains a coveted milestone for Neeraj Chopra, and the anticipation surrounding his potential achievement has reached fever pitch. While the focus is on breaking this barrier, Neeraj Chopra's emphasis on consistency underscores his strategic approach to the sport. By delivering consistent performances, he increases his chances of securing victory in major competitions like the Olympics.

“Maybe consistency is my greatest weapon. I will throw over 90, but consistency is more important for me,” he had said earleir this year. 

Nothing sums up that consistency more than this stat: The 87.58m he threw in Tokyo for the historic gold doesn’t even feature in his top 10 throws anymore. Only twice in 2023 (shortly after his World Championships gold) and once in 2022 (in horrid conditions) he dipped below that. Since Tokyo alone, Neeraj has crossed 88m 10 times and three of those have been 89m+. READ MORE

Meet Anderson Peters, The Resurgent Champion! 

Grenadian javelin star Anderson Peters is a formidable force in the world of athletics. With a personal best of 93.07 meters, he has proven his ability to compete at the highest level and produce big throws. Despite facing setbacks, including a serious injury that hampered his 2023 season, Anderson Peters has demonstrated remarkable resilience.

His impressive season best of 88.62 meters in 2024 positions him as a strong contender for a podium finish at the Paris Olympics. As the former world champion, Anderson Peters brings a wealth of experience and competitive spirit to the event, making him a threat to any opponent.

German sensation, Max Dehning, burst onto the javelin scene early this year with a jaw-dropping 90.20m throw, the only 90-meter mark achieved in men's javelin in 2024. However, despite this extraordinary feat, his subsequent performances have been inconsistent, with throws mostly in the high 70s and low 80s. Nevertheless, the sheer magnitude of his initial throw ensures he remains a formidable contender in the javelin world.

While we wait for the action to start, tune in to listen to Mihir Vasavda, our reporter in Paris, Amit Kamath and Vinayakk Mohanarangan as they discuss India's painful medal-less finish in badminton.

What makes Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem an unpredictable contender in the men's javelin throw event?

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem is a wildcard contender in the javelin throw event. Despite ranking outside the top 15 this season, Arshad Nadeem has a history of delivering exceptional performances on the biggest stage. His ability to produce unexpected results, as evidenced by his remarkable throws at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships, makes him a dangerous opponent for any athlete.

Arshad Nadeem's casual throwing style belies his immense talent and power. With the potential to unleash extraordinary throws, Arshad Nadeem is a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Kishore Jena will be up first in qualification action as he is marked in Pool A of the first round and will start with his throws after 01:50 PM IST. Neeraj is slated to compete in Pool B from 03:20 PM IST onwards.