Did Sachin Yadav Just Miss Bronze by 40 cm While Neeraj Struggles in Javelin Throw Final?

Tokyo, Sep 18 (NationPress) The defense of his World title turned into a moment of disappointment for Neeraj Chopra as the Indian two-time Olympic medallist struggled in the javelin throw final, finishing a surprising eighth place. His best throw was just 84.03m, falling short of his personal best of 90.23m which he achieved earlier this season in Doha.

Despite Chopra's struggles, the competition brought a glimmer of hope for India as Sachin Yadav, at just 23 years old, wowed spectators by finishing an impressive fourth in his inaugural World Championship appearance, narrowly missing the bronze medal by a mere 40 centimeters at the Japan National Stadium.

The title of World Champion went to Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago, who secured victory with a season-best throw of 88.16m, 13 years after winning Olympic gold in the 2012 London Games. Anderson Peters of Grenada took silver with a throw of 87.38m, while Curtis Thompson made headlines by claiming bronze, marking the USA's first World Championship medal in javelin throw in 18 years with a throw of 86.67m.

Yadav consistently performed well, achieving a best throw of 86.27m. His experience and performance bode well for his future endeavors, particularly as this was only his second international competition. While Chopra finished in eighth, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, the Olympic champion, ended up 10th with a throw of 82.75m. Germany's season leader, Julien Webber, placed sixth with 85.54m.

The night presented challenges with a slight drizzle and a stiff breeze, ideal for top performance yet difficult for many competitors. The competition turned unpredictable from the start, as three of the top throwers in recent seasons—Webber, Chopra, and Nadeem—found themselves struggling.

Chopra's initial throw was 83.65m, while Yadav launched himself into contention with a remarkable 86.27m. Unfortunately, the established stars could not find their rhythm. After the second round, Chopra remained in eighth place with a throw of 84.03m, while Yadav initially fouled but managed to stay in fourth.

In the following rounds, both Chopra and Nadeem faltered, with Chopra fouling multiple throws and exiting the competition. He had hoped to shine at the Tokyo venue, known for his Olympic triumph, but it ended in disappointment. However, Yadav concluded his competition with throws of 84.90m and 85.96m, although he finished with a final throw of 80.95m.

Walcott's performance peaked in round two with 87.83m, ultimately securing his second global title in men’s javelin. Peters earned silver with 87.38m, while Thompson's bronze was a surprise.

Kenya's Julius Yego was in medal contention until a hamstring injury forced him to finish sixth with a throw of 85.64m.