Indian athletic sensation Neeraj Chopra continued his dominance in the men’s javelin throw event, clinching the gold medal with a modest effort of 82.27m at the prestigious Federation Cup 2024 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The 26-year-old Olympic champion showcased his prowess in his first competitive outing in India since his historic triumph three years ago.
Homecoming after Olympic Glory
Neeraj Chopra’s participation in the Federation Cup 2024 marked a significant homecoming for the athlete, as he last competed in India during the Federation Cup in March 2021, where he secured the gold medal with an impressive throw of 87.80m.
Building Momentum for the Outdoor Season
The Federation Cup event served as Neeraj’s second competitive outing of the 2024 outdoor athletics season, following his impressive second-place finish at the Doha Diamond League last week, where he recorded a throw of 88.36m.
Podium Finishers
Alongside Neeraj’s gold medal-winning performance, the men’s javelin throw event witnessed a fierce competition among India’s top athletes. DP Manu, the Asian Athletics Championships silver medalist, clinched the silver medal with an 82.06m throw, while Uttam Balasaheb Patil secured the bronze with a 78.39m effort.
Kishore Jena’s Disappointing Outing
However, the Federation Cup 2024 was not without its share of disappointments. Kishore Jena, the Asian Games silver medalist who has secured a Paris 2024 Olympic quota for India in the men’s javelin throw alongside Neeraj Chopra, endured a challenging outing at his home venue, finishing fifth with a 75.49m throw.
Personal Best and Promising Performances
Despite the setbacks, the competition witnessed several promising performances. Bibin Antony achieved a personal best with a 77.37m throw, securing the fourth position, while Manu DP led the 12-man field for the first three rounds with his impressive 82.06m clearance.
Final Standings
The final standings in the men’s javelin throw event at the Federation Cup 2024 were as follows:
- Neeraj Chopra – 82.27m
- Manu DP – 82.06m
- Uttam Balasaheb Patil – 78.39m
- Bibin Antony – 77.37m
- Kishore Jena – 75.49m
- Pramod – 74.56m
- Manjinder Singh – 72.58m
- Vikas Yadav – 71.66m
- Kunwer Singh Rana – 71.12m
- Shivpal Singh – 71.01m
- Vivek Kumar – 71.00m
- Rohit Kumar – 66.16m
Neeraj Chopra’s triumphant return to Indian soil and his consistent performances continue to inspire the next generation of athletes, solidifying his status as one of the most celebrated figures in Indian athletics.