Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: Neeraj Scripts History With Gold Medal
Neeraj Chopra in World Athletics Championships 2023 Live Updates: Neeraj won India's first gold medal at the WAC.
World Athletics Championships Live Updates: Neeraj Scripts History With Gold Medal
(Photo: PTI/altered by The Quint)
Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal in the men's javelin throw at 2023 World Athletics Championships.
This is the first instance of an Indian athlete standing on the top of the podium at a World Athletics Championships event.
Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem stood second.
With a personal best of 84.77m, Kishore Jena stood fifth, with fellow Indian compatriot DP Manu in sixth position.
Parul Chaudhary finished 11th in women's 3000m steeplechase, while the men's 4x400m relay team finished fifth.
Neeraj Chopra scripted history in Hungary.
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World Athletics Championships Live Updates: Neeraj Chopra Stands on the Brink of History
Having created and shattered numerous records times aplenty during his illustrious career, Neeraj Chopra, India's celebrated 'golden boy', will have the opportunity of adding another feather – a uniquely spectacular one – to his cap.
A year ago, he became India's second medallist at the World Athletics Championships, finishing on the second place. However, he has been in scintillating form, having recorded his best throw of the year – 88.77m – in the heat.
The event will commence at 11:45pm IST.
World Athletics Championships Live Updates: Neeraj's Story So Far in 2023
Albeit not always at his best, Neeraj Chopra has pretty much had a flawless season so far. After recovering from an injury, Neeraj's comeback bid saw him securing first place at the Doha Diamond League, with an 88.67m throw, back in May.
A month later, he competed in the Lausanne leg of the 2023 Diamond League. There, despite his best attempt being only 87.66m, Neeraj stood first once again.
The best performance of the year, however, arrived only a few days ago, when Neeraj was seen in his usual rhythm, recording an attempt of 88.77m at the heat of the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
World Athletics Championships Live Updates: The 'Others'
Whilst Neeraj will remain the major attraction, and India's prime medal hope in this event, two other Indian javelin throwers will also be competing for a place in the podium, courtesy of his commendable performance in the heat.
DP Manu, a 23-year-old javelin thrower from Karnataka, made it to the final with an 81.31m throw. Odisha's Kishore Jena is the other participant, having recorded 80.55m in the heat.
World Athletics Championships Live Updates: Parul, Men's Relay Team Will Also Feature
Besides men's javelin throw, Indian athletes will be seen competing in two other events, on the last day of the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
Parul Chaudhary will compete in women's 3000m steeplechaser, having finished fifth in the qualification round. Meanwhile, the men's 4x400m relay team – comprising Muhammed Anas, Amoj Jacob, Rajesh Ramesh and Muhammed Ajmal – will also be fighting for a medal, after creating a new Asian record during the heat.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: Action Starts Soon
Now then, it is almost time. The participants have just been introduced.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: Fault in First Attempt
UH OH! Not the start Neeraj Chopra, and the Indian fans would have been hoping for, as the gold medal-favourite faults his first attempt.
He did make a clean throw, but then stepped on the foul line, perhaps deliberately, considering the attempt was far from what Neeraj is capable of producing.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: DP Manu Records 78.44m
DP Manu has recorded a 78.44m throw in this first attempt. It is not enough to keep him inside the top three, with Oliver Helander, Jakub Vadlejch and Ihab Abdelrahman having all went north of the 80m mark already.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: Underwhelming Start For Jena
Not the ideal start for Kishore Jena, too. Having crossed the 80m mark in the qualification round, the javelin thrower from Odisha could only register 75.70m, which keeps him in eighth position.
Standings after round 1.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: Neeraj On Top!
That's more like it!
Albeit still not his best, Neeraj produces a stunning second attempt, recording 88.17m. It is enough to place him on pole position for now, and by some margin too. Jakub Vadlejch is ranked second currently, with an 84.18m throw.
Neeraj Chopra climbs to first position.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: Jena Improves, Manu Can't
Besides Neeraj, Kishore Jena also took a significant leap in the second round. A throw of 82.82m sees him climbing to the fifth position. DP Manu, meanwhile, faults his second attempt, and is demoted to the 10th position.
Standings after Round 2.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: 86.32m in Third Attempt For Neeraj
Still on top!
Neeraj's third attempt is not as good as his second. Despite that, the 86.32m throw happens to be the second-highest figure of the day, below only the 88.17m set by Neeraj.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: End of Round 3
Seems like it is Neeraj vs Arshad now!
Arshad Nadeem, the 26-year-old from Pakistan, produces a stunning attempt in the third round, recording 87.82m. While it is not enough to eclipse Neeraj, it does get him to the second place.
Meanwhile, DP Manu also made up places in the standing. An 83.72m throw keeps him on the fifth position for now. Kishore Jena faulted his third throw.
Standings after Round 3.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: In Other News
Away from the javelin action, which is proving to be enthralling, women's 3000m steeplechase is about to get underway. India's Parul Chaudhary will be competition, having finished fifth in the qualification round.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: Status Quo Remains Unaltered
Not an ideal round from Neeraj's perspective, but it does seem that his 88.17m attempt will be securing him a historic gold medal. He records 84.64m in his fourth attempt, while Arshad Nadeem, who is still placed second, registers 87.15m.
Kishore Jena recorded 80.19m, while DP Manu faulted his attempt.
Standings after Round 4.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: History Beckons
Just a few minutes away from history!
The chasing pack will have to pull off something spectacular now, with Neeraj having firmly established his dominance. In the fifth round, the Olympics gold medallist recorded 87.73m. Arshad, meanwhile, faulted his throw.
Kishore Jena also deserves applause for recording his personal best throw of 84.77m, while DP Manu recorded 83.48m. They are in the fifth and sixth position respectively.
Standings after Round 5.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: GOLD!
History made. Gold secured. Story re-written.
Neeraj Chopra has won another gold medal, and this is a rather special one, considering it is the first occasion where an Indian athlete will be standing on the top of the podium at a World Athletics Championships event.
Neeraj Chopra embraces Arshad Nadeem.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: ‘Long May It Continue,’ Wish India
He came close a year ago, but at the Hayward Field in the United States of America, Neeraj could only secure a silver medal. Now, at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary, the colour has transitioned into something that glitters, and it indeed is gold. A historic one, too, as the 88.17m attempt helps Neeraj etch his name into a list, where so far, he is only mention. India will hope the tradition continues, and soon, Neeraj finds company at the 'golden assemblage.'
Arshad Nadeem lived up to the expectations with an 87.82m attempt, while despite missing out on a podium place, Kishore Jena will be returning to India with a broad smile, having just recorded his personal best figure. He finished fifth, with Indian compatriot DP Manu finishing in the very next position.
Final standings.
Neeraj Chopra in WAC 2023 Live Updates: Men's Relay Team Finishes Fifth, Parul 11th
India's campaign at the 2023 World Athletics Championships concludes with a solitary medal, albeit there are positives aplenty to cherish. After creating an Asian record in the qualifying round, the men's 4x400m relay team finishes fifth in the final round, recording a time of 2:59.92.
Top 5 in men's 4x400m relay.
Meanwhile, steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, who is only the second Indian female athlete to qualify for the final round of a track & field event, finishes 11th in the women's 3000m steeplechase. With a timing of 9:15.31, she made a national record.
Women's 3000m steeplechase standings.