New Delhi, India, February 23, 2020: Almost nine months after undergoing surgery, India’s top javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra returned to action with a bang by qualifying for Tokyo 2020 in his first competitive outing of the year.
The 2018 Asian Games gold medallist, who missed the entire 2019 season after elbow surgery last May, threw 87.86m, well past the 85-metre Olympic qualifying mark, on his fourth attempt at a meeting in Potchefstroom, South Africa, last week.
It was the first meet for the 22-year-old Chopra following an intensive rehabilitation programme.
“The biggest feeling is one of relief. It was very important to qualify as early as possible because I missed out on the entire last season,” Chopra told The Hindu.
“I knew the sooner I managed to do so the better it would be because, as time goes on, there will invariably be desperation and mistakes will creep in,” he added.
Chopra, who also won the gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, is the 64th Indian athlete to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.
At present, athletes from six sports – archery, athletics, equestrian, hockey (men and women), shooting and wrestling - have won berths to Tokyo.