Chopra wins Silver in the World Javelin, While Peters gets Gold (Video)

Neeraj Chopra was unsuccessful in his attempt to add a second gold medal to the one he already had from the Olympics in Tokyo, but he still made history by becoming the first male track and field athlete from India and the second Indian overall to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships on Saturday in Eugene, Oregon.

The 24-year-old Indian finished second in a 12-man competition after clearing 88.13 meters on his fourth attempt, which was a personal best. He had been considered a medal favorite going into the athletics’ premier event.

With a personal best of 90.54 meters, defending champion Anderson Peters of Grenada won the gold medal. Olympic silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic came in third with 88.09 meters.

Peters won easily after starting with an effort of 90.21 meters in his first attempt and improving on it with 90.46 meters in his second. He was the only athlete to cross the 90-meter line, and he did it three times at Hayward Field in windy conditions.

The other Indian competitor, Rohit Yadav, placed tenth with a best throw of 78.72 meters.

With a best of 80.42m, he finished the qualification round in 11th place overall.

“I didn’t feel good throughout the first three tosses. “My warm-up wasn’t great,” Chopra admitted following the match.

“During the throw, I felt something in my groin, but I believe it is okay. Today’s experience was positive. I’ll attempt to perform better in Budapest because we also have the World Championships there the following year,” he continued.