Warsaw/Nagpur: India’s javelin sensation Neeraj Chopra produced his best form since the SAF Games to clinch the silver medal but still missed the Olympics qualification mark at the Zygmunta Selesta Memorial in Warsaw, Poland.
With an effort of 79.73 metres that earned him the silver medal and another throw of 81 metres which was declared null, the 19-year-old Chopra kept his Rio hopes alive after finishing second, behind local boy Grzeszczuk, who threw 83.50m late last night.
Slovakia’s Zenuch took the third position with a best throw of 77.07 metres while the other Indian men thrower in the fray, Vipin Kasana finished seventh.
Slovakia’s Zenuch took the third position with a best throw of 77.07 metres while the other Indian men thrower in the fray, Vipin Kasana finished seventh.
The other Indian women in the reckoning, Suman Dev finished in fourth place with a best effort of 56.27 metres.
Polish ladies, Andreczyk was the leader with a thumping margin, with a best throw of 64.08 metres while her compatriot Kakol finished in third place with an effort of 56.64 metres.
Earlier, Chopra was scheduled to compete in Halle, Germany on the same day, but India’s foreign expert Garry Calvert said he decided to switch the promising youngster to a tougher competition in Warsaw.
Calvert said: “At Warsaw, Neeraj did his longest throw – 79.73 metres and an 81 metre foul – since the SAF Games (82.23 metres). Halle couldn’t put him in Group A which was 82+ metres and Group B was won with 71 metres. The decision to field him in the Warsaw competition was a good one as he threw well and beat three throwers whose throwing range is between 82-85 metres.”
