Neeraj Chopra, India’s golden boy in javelin, is poised to defend his Olympic title at the upcoming Paris Games. The reigning world champion and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist will embark on his quest for a second consecutive Olympic gold on Tuesday at the iconic Stade de France.
Chopra’s journey to Paris has been marked by consistency and determination. Despite a minor abductor issue that forced him to withdraw from the Ostrava Golden Spike, he has showcased his prowess with a season-best throw of 88.36m at the Doha Diamond League. He also claimed gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games with a throw of 85.97m.
Chopra’s main rival in Paris is Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, who currently holds the top spot in the men’s javelin throw rankings. Vadlejch defeated Chopra in the Diamond League in the lead-up to the Summer Games and is a strong contender for gold.
Another threat to Chopra’s title is Anderson Peters of Grenada, the two-time world champion. Peters has recovered from an injury-marred 2023 season and has a best throw of 86.62m in 2024. His career-best throw of 93.07m remains unmatched by any of the javelin throwers competing in Paris.
European champion Julian Weber of Germany is also a formidable opponent. With a personal best of 89.54m, Weber has consistently thrown over 85m in all five competitions he has participated in this season.
Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who won silver at the World Championships last year, is another athlete to watch. Nadeem has a personal best of 90.18m, but has yet to cross the 85m mark this season.
As Chopra prepares to defend his Olympic crown, he will face a formidable field of rivals. However, his unwavering determination and exceptional talent make him a strong favorite to add another golden chapter to India’s athletics history.
