Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra clinched Gold in the men’s javelin final at the 27th Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships held at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar, on May 15. In his first competition in India since the Tokyo Olympics, Neeraj secured the top spot with a best throw of 82.27m, overcoming strong competition from DP Manu.

Neeraj needed only four throws to secure his win, with his best effort coming in his final attempt of the day. Despite skipping his last two throws, Neeraj emerged victorious in this significant homecoming event. The humid conditions in Bhubaneshwar did not deter the champion, who expressed joy in competing in India after a three-year gap.

After his fourth attempt, Neeraj consulted with his coach and decided to forgo his final two throws, anticipating a challenge from DP Manu. Neeraj’s strategy paid off as Manu could not surpass the 82.27m mark, though he maintained consistent performance throughout the competition.

DP Manu, a medalist at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships, claimed the silver with a best effort of 82.06m. Manu’s consistent throws kept him in the lead until Neeraj’s final attempt. Although Manu threw over 81m three times, he was unable to meet the Olympic qualifying mark of 85.50m. His personal best remains 84.35m, set in 2022.

Local favorite and Asian Games silver medalist Kishore Jena struggled in this event, finishing with a best effort of 75.49m. Jena, who has already qualified for the Paris Olympics with a throw of 87.54m at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, managed only three valid throws in front of his home crowd, falling short of his personal best.

Jena’s season began with a ninth-place finish at the Doha Diamond League, where he managed a best throw of 76.31m. His performance at the Federation Cup indicates ongoing challenges as he aims to regain his top form.

Maharashtra’s Uttam Balasaheb Patil delivered an impressive performance, finishing with a best throw of 78.39m in the 12-man final. Patil’s effort highlights the growing competition in India’s javelin scene.

Neeraj Chopra’s participation in the Federation Cup was a significant moment for Indian athletics, as it pushed his peers to excel. The competition concluded with a heartwarming scene, as fellow throwers gathered around Neeraj for a photo, celebrating his victory and the spirit of the event.

Neeraj acknowledged he was not at his peak performance but expressed delight in the competitive atmosphere and the progress of his peers. His presence and success at the Federation Cup were a testament to his influence and inspiration in Indian athletics.

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