Picture Credit: X
India’s ‘Golden Boy’ Neeraj Chopra secured the only silver for India at the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024. The 26-year-old, who entered the Summer Games as the reigning world champion and gold medallist from the Tokyo 2020 Games, was outperformed by Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who threw a monstrous 92.97m on Thursday, August 8 at the Stade de France in Paris.
However, Neeraj fell short by three metres to Nadeem’s Olympic record throw, he bagged a silver with his best throw of 89.45m, which was also his best Olympic throw and second personal best overall. The Indian athlete after his performance revealed the injury struggles he has been facing from past months. As he also asserted to concern a specialist, Neeraj is said to have departed for Germany and will thus delay his return to India.
According to sources, Chopra has traveled to Germany to seek medical advice concerning potential surgery and to make a decision on his participation in the upcoming Diamond League meetings. A family source informed PTI, that Chopra is expected to remain in Germany for minimum of one month. “Chopra has left for Germany and he will not return to India for another month and a half. I am not aware of the much details, but for sure he will consult a doctor there,” a family source was quoted as saying by PTI.
Neeraj Chopra’s road to 2024 Diamon League Final
The 26-year-old, who won the prestigious Diamond League in 2022 has time and again shared his aspiration to feature in the final, which is scheduled to be held on September 14 in Brussels, Belgium. To participate in the final of the Diamond League, Neeraj Chopra needs compete in at least one of the two remaining Diamond League meetings.
While the options remain only two, one being the Lausanne event, which is scheduled for August 22 or the Zurich one, set to take place on September 5. So far, the Indian javelin thrower has competed in only one Diamond League this season, finishing second after reigning champion, Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic. He currently stands at joint third place with seven points in the standings and the top six finishers in the Diamond League meeting series will qualify for the Final.
