Sports
Chopra sets javelin throw record at World U20 meet
Bydgoszcz (Poland), July 24
Neeraj Chopra of India created a new junior world record on his way to the gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the IAAF World U20 Championships here.
Chopra hurled the javelin to a distance of 86.48 metres at the Zdzislaw Krzyszkowiak Stadium here on Saturday to beat the previous record of Lativia's Zigismunds Sirmais by nearly two metres.
Chopra thus became the first Indian to win a gold medal in the history of the World U20 championship. Sirmais had set the previous junior world record of 84.69 metres on June 22, 2011, in Bauska, Latvia.
Chopra, who is the first Indian athlete to set a world record at any level, bettered his previous personal best of 82.23 set at the South Asian Games earlier this year, which incidentally was also the old national record.
"I was hoping to throw far but I never expected to throw over 86 metres and break the world U20 record," Chopra, who had registered 79.66 metres with his opening attempt, said.
"My ultimate target was to qualify for the Olympics but I didn't make it. My other goal was to win at the World U-20 Championships," he was quoted as saying by the official website of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Chopra led the 2016 World U20 list of season's best performances with 82.23 metres in February. But he hadn't surpassed the 80-metre line since then, which suggested that he may have peaked too early.
South Africa's Johan Grobler added six metres to his lifetime best with 80.59 metres to claim the silver medal while Grenada picked up their first ever medal in a field event with Anderson Peters improving his national senior record to 79.65 metres.
Chopra hurled the javelin to a distance of 86.48 metres at the Zdzislaw Krzyszkowiak Stadium here on Saturday to beat the previous record of Lativia's Zigismunds Sirmais by nearly two metres.
Chopra thus became the first Indian to win a gold medal in the history of the World U20 championship. Sirmais had set the previous junior world record of 84.69 metres on June 22, 2011, in Bauska, Latvia.
Chopra, who is the first Indian athlete to set a world record at any level, bettered his previous personal best of 82.23 set at the South Asian Games earlier this year, which incidentally was also the old national record.
"I was hoping to throw far but I never expected to throw over 86 metres and break the world U20 record," Chopra, who had registered 79.66 metres with his opening attempt, said.
"My ultimate target was to qualify for the Olympics but I didn't make it. My other goal was to win at the World U-20 Championships," he was quoted as saying by the official website of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Chopra led the 2016 World U20 list of season's best performances with 82.23 metres in February. But he hadn't surpassed the 80-metre line since then, which suggested that he may have peaked too early.
South Africa's Johan Grobler added six metres to his lifetime best with 80.59 metres to claim the silver medal while Grenada picked up their first ever medal in a field event with Anderson Peters improving his national senior record to 79.65 metres.
7 hours ago
US sanctions 2 Indians for alleged ties with Houthis
7 hours ago
Canadian police runs for cover after making baseless allegations against India
7 hours ago
Biden calls Sinwar's death a 'good day', 'opportunity' for talks
7 hours ago
Israel confirms it has eliminated Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar
16 hours ago
US elections: 'Donald Trump unfit to serve, unstable, dangerous,' says Kamala Harris
16 hours ago
"Big win for Indian narrative": Canadian journalist on Trudeau's statement on Nijjar killing
16 hours ago
US launches precision strikes on underground weapons storage facilities in Houthi-controlled Yemen
16 hours ago
Individual named in US indictment in Pannun case "no longer employee of Indian government," confirms MEA
17 hours ago
We are satisfied with cooperation: US after meeting with India's Inquiry Committee over "assassination" plot of Pannun
17 hours ago
Harris defends Biden Administration's immigration policies, vows strengthened action if voted into power
19 hours ago
In 'dry' Bihar, illicit liquor available without stop: Priyanka Gandhi on hooch deaths
19 hours ago
Railways reduces time limit for advance ticket booking from 120 to 60 days
19 hours ago
Rahul Gandhi meets representatives of Valmiki community, offers prayers at Valmiki temple in Delhi