How Will Javelin Record-Breaker Neeraj Chopra Fare At Rio Olympics?
On Sunday, Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to set a World record in athletics. The 18-year-old Javelin thrower achieved this remarkable feat while winning the gold at the AIFF World Under-20 Athletics Championship. But where does the Indian stand when compared to the current World standards at the senior level?
Highlights
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Neeraj Chopra set a junior world record in javelin throw at world meet
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He won the gold medal with his record throw
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His effort of 86.48m is 1st world record ever by an Indian in athletics
Soon after Neeraj Chopra, with an effort of 86.48m, set a new junior world record at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championship, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has written to the world governing body to consider Neeraj for a wild card entry in next month's Rio Olympics.
AFI president Adille Sumariwalla, who is also a member of the powerful IAAF Council, said, "Just after getting to know about Neeraj's performance I wrote a letter to IAAF president Mr Sebastian Coe and I am hoping for a favourable outcome."
The deadline for Rio Olympics entry in athletics was July 11. Asked if there were provisions of wild card entry under the IAAF rules, Sumariwalla said, "It (wild card entry) can be done"
If IAAF were to grant a wild-card to Neeraj, what are the chances of the Indian winning a medal?
While Neeraj's effort of 86.48m was more than enough for him to set a junior world record, his record breaking throw is ranked eight on the list of best Javelin throws of 2016. Therefore, the 20 year old from Haryana doesn't really qualify to be called a medal contender. However, making it to the Olympic finals of the javelin event looks like a real possibility, something no Indian has managed to achieve before.
© NDTV
A look at the top Javelin records over the years also suggest that Neeraj is way off the World Record mark set by Jan Zelezny 20 years ago. But as far as the performance in Olympics is concerned the Indian youngster isn't too far behind the leading pack; Neeraj's junior World record is four meters behind the Olympic record and only about three meters behind the Asian record. Interestingly, with less than two weeks to go for the Rio Olympics, Neeraj has managed to better Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott gold medal winning effort of 86.35m at the last Olympics in London.
© NDTV
Neeraj Chopra was gunning for the Rio Olympics qualifying mark of 83m in a few competitions. Unfortunately, his junior World Record came only days after the Rio qualification deadline. A wild-card remains his best and the only option for a ticket to Rio.