New Delhi: Defending an Olympic gold medal is never easy. India’s javelin ace Neeraj Chopra will face the heat in Paris when the 26-year-old walks out at Stade de France to defend his yellow metal that he won three years ago in Tokyo with a winning throw of 87.58. Things will certainly be different for Neeraj in Paris as he enters with twin crowns on his head – reigning Olympic champion and World Champion.
However, Neeraj’s preparation this time hasn’t been the most ideal. The Haryana lad, carrying a minor injury, participated in only three events and is placed fourth in 2024’s top list with a throw of 88.36m. Will Neeraj be able to defend his gold and add the coveted yellow metal to his glittering collection?
Let’s take a look at the contenders who would give Neeraj a headache.
Jakub Vadlejch has followed Neeraj Chopra in all the podiums in recent times. Starting from Tokyo Olympics to World Championships in Budapest Vadlejch finished second to Neeraj before pipping the Indian to the top at Qatar Diamond League. No doubt, Vadlejch will be a favourite in Paris as well.
One of the powerfully-built athletes, Julian Weber will be looking to make most of his lost opportunity from the previous Olympics in Paris. Weber started as a favourite in Tokyo but lost the plot midway and finished fourth. With a good season so far, Weber will be eagerly waiting to spoil everyone’s party in Paris.
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) June 28, 2024
The 19-year-old from Germany made heads turn when he threw his spear to 90.20m early this year. Incidentally, Dehning’s 90m throw is the only time someone has breached this mark in 2024. Post that, Dehning’s form dipped in the following events but one can’t write him off on the given day.
Anderson Peters has crossed 90m mark four times in his career, all of which came in 2022. However, his international career took a hit after he was involved in a nasty accident. But the man from Grenada is back in the mix with a throw of 88.62m in Qatar Diamond League, thereby making one of the contenders to finish at the podium in Paris.
Arshad Nadeem may not be counted as one of the medal contenders in Paris but the Pakistani javelin ace can prove to be a giant killer on a given day with his massive throwing abilities. A wildcard in this list, Nadeem has breached 90m once in his career at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. In 2024, Nadeem competed in just one event at Paris Diamond League with a best throw of 84.21m.
