87.58. Those numbers will forever be etched in Indian sporting history. After Neeraj Chopra threw the javelin into the night sky in Tokyo, turned around and celebrated with gusto even before the spear landed, a nation rejoiced. And three years later, Neeraj Chopra enters the Paris Olympics as not just the reigning Olympic champion but the reigning World Champion as well.
Neeraj Chopra’s preparations have perhaps not been the most ideal as he has participated in just three events this year. In the 2024 season’s top list, Neeraj Chopra is placed fourth. But very few Indian athletes have risen to the big occasion as frequently as him. Will Neeraj Chopra add another Olympic gold medal to his already glittering collection? Here’s a look at the challengers for his crown:
Jakub Vadlejch, CZE (Season Best: 88.65, Personal Best: 90.88)
The Czech athlete has been a near ever-present alongside Neeraj Chopra on the men’s javelin podiums around the world in recent times. The Olympic silver medallist when Neeraj Chopra won gold in Tokyo. The Worlds bronze medallist when Neeraj won gold in Budapest. And he started the 2024 season by pipping Neeraj Chopra to the top spot at Qatar Diamond League, albeit by just 2 cms. He won a thrilling European gold in June with 88.65m, the second best mark of the 2024 season. Make no mistake, he will be a favourite in Paris 2024 as well.
Julian Weber, GER (SB: 88.37, PB: 89.54)
India’s Neeraj Chopra (right) with Jakub Vadlejch and Julian Weber (centre) after the Indian beat the duo to claim the Lausanne Diamond League meet. (Screengrab)
The German is a powerfully-built athlete and will be itching to make up for the lost opportunity in Tokyo where he agonisingly finished fourth. Weber has had a good season so far, with a best of 88.37m and a silver medal at the European championships behind Vadlejch.
Max Dehning (SB: 90.20, PB: 90.20)
The young German turned heads in the athletics community with a stunning throw of 90.20m at the start of 2024 and that is the only 90m mark achieved in men’s javelin so far this year. But he is further down this list because Dehning hasn’t quite managed to get close to that mark again in his subsequent events, hovering around the high 70s and early 80s since. But just the fact he has been able to pull off a 90m throw once, keeps his name in the mix.
Anderson Peters (SB: 86.62, PB 93.07)
The former world champion has made a solid start to 2024 after a tough time on the international circuit. Peters has gone past the 90m mark in four events over his career, and all of those were in 2022. After his world championships gold in 2022, Perers was involved in a nasty accident that made his 2023 season largely below par. But with a 88.62m throw in Qatar, he has put himself firmly in the mix for a podium finish in Paris 2024.
Arshad Nadeem (SB: 84.21, PB: 90.18)
It is perhaps not entirely logical to add an athlete who is placed 16th on the season’s top list to the mix of medal contenders in Paris. But the Pakistan athlete has always been something of an enigma. Be it his almost nonchalant throwing style, or his ability to come up with a massive throw when he turns up on a big stage. Even in his season’s only appearance at Paris DL, Arshad started with a lukewarm sub-75m throw before going up to 84.21m in a matter of minutes. He’s the wildcard in the pack.
