Glasgow: India’s Neeraj Chopra settled for the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday, producing a season’s best effort of 85.83m despite challenging weather conditions.
Fellow Indian Yashvir Singh delivered the performance of his career, clinching a surprise bronze with a personal best on his final attempt to complete a double podium finish for India.
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage lived up to expectations by taking gold with a commanding throw of 89.75m.
Chopra, the Tokyo Olympic champion, registered his best throw in the second round. The mark improved on his previous season’s best of 85.69m, achieved while finishing fourth at the Doha Diamond League on June 19, which remains his only other competition this season.
Yashvir produces dramatic final-round turnaround
Making his Commonwealth Games debut, the 24-year-old Yashvir stunned the field with a personal best of 85.41m on his sixth and final throw. His previous career best stood at 83.72m.
Yashvir had been languishing in seventh place after the fifth round, with his best effort measuring 81.33m, before producing a remarkable final throw that lifted him onto the podium alongside Chopra.
The third Indian in the event, Rohit Yadav, finished seventh with a best throw of 81.56m.
The men’s javelin podium was dominated by athletes from the Indian subcontinent, with Sri Lanka winning gold and India taking silver and bronze.
Pakistan’s defending Commonwealth champion and reigning Olympic gold medallist bowed out after three rounds, managing only 77.41m. Reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago finished sixth with 82.55m.
Pathirage dominates despite difficult conditions
Pathirage’s winning throw of 89.75m came in the second round and fell just 25 centimetres short of the 90m mark. The performance was particularly impressive given the cold, windy conditions in Glasgow.
He remains the only javelin thrower to have crossed the 90m mark this season, having recorded a personal and season’s best of 92.62m while winning the Rome Diamond League in June.
Although he fouled on his remaining five attempts, the second-round effort proved enough to secure gold.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding season, winning seven of the eight competitions he has entered, including Diamond League titles in Doha and Rome. His only defeat came in Rabat, Morocco, where he finished second.
Chopra optimistic after injury comeback
Chopra returned to competition this season after recovering from a lower back injury that had troubled him since September last year and delayed his comeback until the Doha Diamond League.
Competing at his second Commonwealth Games after winning gold at Gold Coast in 2018, Chopra admitted he is still working towards full fitness but was encouraged by his progress.
“I can’t say fitness is like before. But I’m getting there slowly. There is still time for the Asian Games. I will compete in Diamond League before that. There will be more improvement. Will improve slowly,” Chopra said.
He said he was satisfied with how his return had unfolded.
“Although we always want the national anthem to play but I did my season best and comeback is going okay, there are other competitions as well. I am happy,” he said.
Reflecting on the conditions, Chopra added:
“The weather was better than yesterday. It was good in the staring but later it became cold and there was wind.”
“I also had a one go throw only, I thought it will go further but it didn’t fly. I thought I could have pushed myself further. I’m trying to get into my rhythm. I am not able to do that well in these conditions, I like hot weather … (I’m) Indian blood.”
Chopra opened with 80.97m before producing his best throw of 85.83m in the second round. His next two efforts measured 81.29m and 80.73m, while his final two attempts ended in fouls.
He briefly led the 12-man field before Pathirage’s decisive second-round throw moved the Sri Lankan into first place for good.
Yashvir celebrated both his personal best and his medal-winning finish.
“I am happy that I could do my personal best and also get a medal in such conditions,” he said.