The 19-year-old javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra created an U-20 World record and won the gold medal at the World U-20 Championships in Bydogszcz, Poland on Saturday.
The world’s best junior thrower, who threw the javelin at a distance of 86.48 meters surpassed the earlier record by almost two meters, which was set by the Latvian Zigsimunds Sirmais. The Harayana lad also became India’s first junior World Champion in a field event.
Johan Grobler (80.59m) from South Africa was the runner-up while Grenada’s Anderson Peters (79.69m) took the third place.
Chopra got off to a great start with a throw of 79.66 meters in his first attempt and took the lead. However, Grobler snatched the lead away from the Indian with a throw of 80.59 meters.
Thereafter, the 19-year-old roared back into the lead with a world record throw in the second attempt.
The junior World Champion said that he knew it was a special throw when the spear left his hand on the second throw.
It is an incredible feeling. I was feeling strong and confident before the event and after the first throw I was sure I could go farther. When the spear left my hand on that second throw, I had a feeling that this was a special throw. I don’t think I expected it to go over 86 meters but since the last couple of months, I have worked hard on my fitness, my technique and it all paid off today.Neeraj Chopra
Chopra, who is also India’s first ever Gold medallist in any world athletic event, has been training at the Olympic Training Centre in Spala, Poland under the Australian coach Garry Calvert for the last two months.
Interestingly, the Haryana lad with a throw of 82.23 meters had equalled the senior men’s national record (NR) at the South Asian Games earlier this year.
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