World Athletics Championship 2022: Neeraj Chopra was considered to be the biggest contender for gold in the final of the javelin throw competition of the World Athletics Championships. As Crores of Indian fans, including his mother Saroj Devi, we're glued to the TV set.
But, the start did not go as expected. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who entered the finals of the World Athletics Championships, stumbled on the very first attempt, foul sitting. Millions of hearts beat faster. The throw was fine on the second try but the javelin didn't go the expected distance. The waving spear fell at a distance of 82.39 meters. The third attempt was better. The spear went up to 86.37 meters but by now the medal was starting to look away.
What did Neeraj Chopra say?
After creating history by winning the silver, he said, "A little condition was not right. There was a lot of wind. It didn't feel like that for the first two or three throws. Still somewhere it seemed that the throw would take place." Neeraj Chopra did the same in the fourth attempt as Dil indicated. This time the throw went 88.13 meters long.
Neeraj says, "It was a good feeling. I felt good. There was a silver medal throw." Neeraj Chopra fouled even on the fifth and sixth try. But the fourth throw got him and India a silver medal. After 19 years, India's account was opened in the World Athletics Championships. In Neeraj Chopra's first year 2003, Anju Bobby George won a bronze medal in the long jump.
'The wind did not support'
Neeraj Chopra finished second but he was happy that he could win a medal for the country even after being 'Khilaaf to Hawa'. Neeraj said, "It was a little challenging, yet I was confident that I will do it till the end. Happy performance. Got to learn a lot. The wind was challenging for me. It was coming from the front." As soon as Neeraj's medal was confirmed, his mother Saroj Devi's feelings flared up. She said, "We were sure that he would win a medal for the country."