Federation Cup: Neeraj Chopra survives DP Manu scare to win men’s javelin Gold
Neeraj Chopra won Gold in the men’s javelin final at the 27th Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar on Wednesday, May 15.
Neeraj survived a tough fight from DP Manu and won the top prize with the best effort of 82.27m. Neeraj needed only four throws and his best came in his final attempt of the day. The Olympic champion did not complete his last two attempts, but emerged on the top step of the podium in his first competition at home since winning the Gold in the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Neeraj Chopra was seen having a chat with his coach after his fourth attempt, which was the best of the night in Bhubaneshwar. The Olympic champion later revealed he decided that he would not complete the last two throws and was expecting DP Manu to go past his best effort of 82.27m. Neeraj highlighted the humid conditions in Bhubaneshwar, but expressed delight in participating in a competition at home after a long gap.
Neeraj began the season with a second-place finish with a best effort of 88.36m in Doha Diamond League, but the Indian star was far from his best at home.
DP Manu, Asian Athletics Championships medalist from 2023, won silver with a best effort of 82.06m. Manu was consistent from the word go and was leading Neeraj Chopra until the end of the third round. Manu was consistent, throwing over 81m as many as three times.
However, Manu was not able to breach the Olympic qualifying mark of 85.50m in Bhubaneshwar on Wednesday. Manu’s personal best stands at 84.35m which came in 2022.
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR JENA
Meanwhile, Kishore Jena, the local hero and Asian Games silver medallist, was nowhere close to his personal best as he finished with a best effort of 75.49m. Jena has already qualified for the Paris Olympics when he threw 87.54m for the Asian Games silver medal in Hangzhou last year.
Kishore managed only three valid throws and crossed 75m only twice in front of his home crowd.
Jena has been struggling to match the heroics of last year. The 28-year-old began his season at the Doha Diamond League with a best effort of 76.31, finishing 9th in a 12-man field.
Maharashtra’s Uttam Balasaheb Patil was impressive, finishing with a best effort of 78.39m in the 12-man men’s javelin final.
Neeraj Chopra competing at home and pushing his peers to give their best was a sight to behold at the Federation Cup. In a heartwarming moment, all the other throwers rushed toward Neeraj Chopra and posed for a photo at the end of the competition. Neeraj knew he was far from his best, but looked delighted at seeing the competition at home.