Neeraj Chopra wins historic gold for India in men's javelin

Saturday, 7 August 2021 16:25

By REUTERS

India's Neeraj Chopra celebrates with the national flag after winning the men's javelin throw final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on August 7, 2021. Ina FASSBENDER / AFP

Neeraj Chopra won the men's javelin on Saturday with a best throw of 87.58 metres, claiming a historic first Olympic gold in athletics for India.

The Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch won silver with a best attempt of 86.67 metres and Vitezslav Vesely claimed the bronze with 85.44.

Chopra, the 2018 Commonwealth champion, seized the lead after reaching the 87.03 mark with his first attempt, a distance no other competitor achieved during the final, winning India's first gold of the Tokyo Games, as his overjoyed teammates and coaches watched from the stands.

The night was a disappointment for Germany's Johannes Vetter, a favourite for the podium as the only competitor in the final to have cleared 90 metres in his career, who was unable to find his usual poise and finished ninth.

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