Asian Games 2023: Neeraj Chopra needed to throw 88.88m to beat out compatriot Kishore Jena, who set a new personal best in Hangzhou to win the gold medal in the men’s javelin final.
Neeraj Chopra defended his Asian Games javelin title in a thrilling final contested by two Indians, while young star Kishore Jena took silver. The national stadium in Hangzhou witnessed India’s extraordinary rise in the sport as Neeraj and Jena competed for Gold and Silver in a 12-man field, just a day after Annu Rani won the women’s javelin Gold medal.
Kishore Jena, who shone in his first World Championships participation earlier this year in the men’s javelin event, gave Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra a scare in the final on Wednesday, October 4.
Due to technological difficulties, both Neeraj and Kishore were under pressure at the start of the men’s javelin final. Neeraj’s first throw was canceled owing to technological issues that caused a significant delay. Kishore Jena’s second throw was incorrectly called foul before the white flag was raised. Despite the early difficulties, both stars finished on the podium.
Kishore was leading the men’s javelin final at the halfway point, having thrown his personal best of 86.77m. He later improved with a throw of 87.54m. Jena was overjoyed, as did Neeraj, who was cheering on his teammate from the sidelines. It was a beautiful moment since the Olympic champion has always praised his fellow athletes, and he was really pleased to see Jena set a personal best at the most important stage of his young career.
Neeraj Chopra, on the other hand, did not lose sight of the task at hand. He successfully defended his Asian Games title with a season-best throw of 88,88m.
Neeraj series: 82.38m, 84.49m, x, 88.88m, 80.80m, x
Jena series: 81.26m, 79.76m, 86.77m, 87.54m, x, x
Dean Genki Roderick of Japan won bronze in the men’s javelin final with a best throw of 82.68 meters.
Now #NeerajChopra has won GOLD
- In South Asian Games 2016
- In Asian Championship 2017
- In Commonwealth Games 2018
- In Asian Games 2018
- In Olympics 2020
- In Diamond League 2022
- In World Championships 2023
- In Asian Games 2023
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