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Former Olympic champion Chopra wins Gold at His Eponymous Event

Neeraj, the former Olympic javelin champion, won gold on Saturday in Bengaluru at Kanteerava Stadium. He registered a dominant win with a throw measuring 86.18 meters in the first round.

Chopra, Germany's Thomas Rohler, and Kenya's Julius Yego were among the elite athletes who competed in India's Neeraj Chopra Classic.

Chopra, the winner of the Tokyo Olympics 2021 and the Paris Games 2024, was dominant throughout. He followed his winning throw with throws 84.07m, and 82.22m, in subsequent rounds, as over 14,500 spectators cheered on their favourite.

"I did not expect such a large crowd and support during the first season." Chopra thanked AFI (Athletics Federation of India), and World Athletics, for providing a world-class competition.

This is a huge thing for our nation. "We were able do well and I hope we can continue adding more events to competition."

Yego, the former world champion who won silver in Rio 2016, has now claimed silver at 84.51m. This is a promising performance ahead of the World Athletics Championships scheduled for September in Tokyo.

Rumesh Patirage of Sri Lanka won bronze with a toss of 84.34m. He continues his upward trajectory, after joining the 85m club in 2024 at the Asian Throwing Championships held in Korea.

Chopra made a dramatic recovery after fouling in the first throw. He recovered to post a winning 86.18m attempt that proved unbeatable during the competition.

After three attempts, only eight of the 12 athletes made it to the second round.

Former Olympic champion Rohler was shocked to find himself unable to advance after only one valid attempt during the first round.

Chopra expressed his hope to host the event next year with more athletes, both domestic and international. (Reporting and editing by Clare Fallon in Bengaluru, with Suramya kaushik from Bengaluru)

(source: Reuters)