Glasgow, July 31:
Olympic hero Neeraj Chopra, along with two other Indians, advanced to the Commonwealth Games men’s javelin throw final after finishing among the top 12 in the qualification round as strong, shifting winds foiled every athlete’s attempt to achieve the automatic qualifying mark here on Thursday.
Chopra, who won the javelin throw title in 2018, was fifth with a best effort of 79.61m, while Rohit Yadav (78.37m) and Yashvir Singh (78.36m) ended the qualification in ninth and 10th positions respectively to ensure a full Indian contingent in the medal round.
The 28-year-old Chopra, who was the last thrower in each round, did not take his third and final attempt as he had already made it to the final by that time.
With a steady headwind and a temperature of 18 degree Celsius making conditions difficult throughout the event, none of the competitors was able to breach the automatic qualification mark of 84m, leaving the top 12 athletes to progress to the final round to be held on Thursday.
“The conditions were not the best for javelin throwers. It was not only cold but also windy. And the wind was coming from all directions … it was really hard to assess which side it will come from. And lots of throwers were struggling today, no automatic qualification,” Chopra told reporters after the event.
“It was difficult to keep ourself warm also. We were trying to understand the conditions during the warm up throws but nobody was able to decode. The athletes put in a lot of effort but the wind dictated terms. A lot of them will be unhappy today because I dont think anyone would be satisfied with their throw,” Chopra added.
Only four competitors could breach the 80m mark.
Sri Lanka’s in-form Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, winner of the Doha and Rome Diamond League meetings this season, topped the qualification with a first-round throw of 82.84m. Last edition silver winner Anderson Peters of Grenada was second with a best throw of 81.29m.
“I am really happy that I qualified and I will try for gold tomorrow. This seems to be my luck year,” Pathirage said.
Paris Olympics gold medallist and defending champion Arshad Nadeem (78.63m) of Pakistan and reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott (78.26m) of Trinidad and Tobago also made it to the finals after finishing seventh and 11th respectively.
Kenya’s Julius Yego, who won a gold in the 2014 edition and a bronze in 2022 Birmingham Games, failed to make the grade after finishing 13th with 74.50m.
Sporting a beanie in the chilly Glasgow weather, Chopra drew the loudest cheers from the crowd at the picturesque Scotstoun Stadium but took a measured approach in testing conditions.
The former world champion opened with a modest 76.28m, which placed him sixth after the first round. He improved to 79.61m with his second effort to move up to fifth. He chose not to take his last attempt.