Paris: It was an exhilarating javelin throw final in Paris, where Neeraj Chopra, the defending Olympic champion, had to settle for silver as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem outperformed him. Despite a commendable throw of 89.45m, Chopra couldn’t match Nadeem’s remarkable performance. Nadeem not only claimed gold with a new Games record of 92.97m but also finished strong with a closing throw of 91.79m. This performance is notable as it surpasses the previous Olympic record of 90.57m set by Andreas Thorkildsen in 2008. Nadeem’s throws were a true highlight, and even though Chopra’s season-best effort was his only valid throw of the evening, it was clear that Nadeem was in a league of his own.
Neeraj Chopra’s silver medal performance was a compelling display of skill and resilience. The defending champion, who had never lost to Arshad Nadeem in their previous encounters, faced a tough challenge. Chopra’s best throw of the evening was 89.45 meters, achieved in his second attempt. Despite this being the season’s best for him, it was not enough to secure gold.
Chopra’s silver medal is a testament to his exceptional abilities, even though Nadeem outshined him. The Indian athlete’s throw was significant, considering his previous gold-winning throw of 87.58 meters in Tokyo was less than his current silver-winning effort. However, Nadeem’s dominant performance, including a remarkable Games record of 92.97 meters and a closing throw of 91.79 meters, set a new standard in the event.
Chopra’s single legitimate throw of 89.45 meters highlighted his competitiveness and technical prowess, but ultimately, he had to concede to Nadeem’s extraordinary performance, marking a memorable and record-setting competition.
