Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra qualified for his first World Championships final with a stunning first-attempt throw of 88.39m, capping off a historic day for India at the event that saw two of its javelin throwers advance to the medal round in Oregon.
On Friday, the 24-year-old Indian superstar opened the Group A qualification round by throwing his spear 88.39m, his third career-best throw.
Chopra finished second best overall, trailing defending champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who topped Group B with a first-round effort of 89.91m.
“It was a good start. I’ll give my 100% in the final. We’ll see. Every day is different. I’ll just give my best. We don’t know who can throw far on any given day,” Chopra said after his event.
“There is a little bit of zigzag in my run-up. I shook a little bit, but it was a good throw. There are so many throwers in good shape now. Five-six throwers have thrown PBs this year. They are all in excellent shape,” he added.
Chopra finished second best overall, trailing defending champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who topped Group B with a first-round effort of 89.91m.