A look at Neeraj Chopra’s achievements in 2023
(Courtesy : The Hindu)
The Olympic champion won his maiden world title this year.
Neeraj Chopra, India’s youngest individual Olympic gold medalist, has had a phenomenal season, adding two gold medals to his illustrious collection. The 25-year-old javelin thrower became the first Indian to clinch the top spot at World Athletics Championships and a month later defended his Asian Games gold medal. However, he finished second in the Diamond League Finals having won the coveted trophy last year.
Nicknamed India’s ‘golden boy’, Neeraj Chopra has set a high standard for himself and his rivals, with four of his top 10 career throws occurring this year. The 88m mark has become a benchmark of excellence for him, leaving enthusiasts and experts alike wondering if the Paris Olympics 2024 will witness him surpass the elusive 90m barrier.
World Athletics Championships 2023
The pinnacle of his success unfolded at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where Neeraj not only aced the qualifiers with an 88.77m throw, but also clinched the gold in the finals with an 88.17m throw, securing a place in history as the first World Athletics Championships gold medalist from India.
In addition to his Olympic and world championship gold medals, he was also the Diamond League champion (2022), the Asian Athletics Championships champion (2017), the Asian Games champion (2018 and 2023) and the Commonwealth Games champion (2018).
Asian Games 2023
The grand finale of Neeraj’s stellar year unfolded at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. On October 4, 2023, in a competition that held spectators in rapt attention, he delivered a jaw-dropping performance with a throw of 88.88 meters, marking the pinnacle of his achievements in 2023.
In the fierce competition between Neeraj and his compatriot Kishore Kumar Jena, India clinched a remarkable 1-2 finish. Neeraj Chopra secured the gold while Jena emerged as the surprise of the night, bagging silver and resetting his personal best twice, marking a memorable debut on the international stage at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Park Main Stadium in China.
Diamond League 2023
Neeraj Chopra started the season on a high note, winning the Diamond League Meeting in Doha with a 88.67m throw. He continued his winning streak at the Athletissima in Lausanne, where he threw 87.66 meters after recovering from a muscle strain that forced him to withdraw from three events – FBK Games in the Netherlands, Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland and the Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic.
He faced tough competition at the Weltklasse in Zurich, where he secured the second position with a throw of 85.71 meters and qualified for the Diamond League Finals with 23 points from three meetings. Neeraj fell short of the top spot – combining of all the Diamond League meetings, which was claimed by Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, who participated in all four qualifying events and amassed 29 points.
Neeraj finished second in the men’s javelin throw at the Diamond League 2023 Final in Eugene, Oregon, recording his best effort of 83.80 meters. Despite being the reigning Diamond League Trophy holder, Neeraj Chopra, couldn’t defend his title at Hayward Field. Vadlejch, a two-time Diamond League champion, claimed victory with a leading throw of 84.24m. None of the athletes managed to surpass the 85-meter mark in Eugene.
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| Date | Competition | Country | Result | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 MAY 2023 | Diamond League Meeting, Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha | Qatar (QAT) | 88.67 | 1 |
| 30 JUN 2023 | Athletissima, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne | Switzerland (SUI) | 87.66 | 1 |
| 25 AUG 2023 | World Athletics Championships, Budapest 2023 | Hungary (HUN) | 88.77 | 1 |
| 27 AUG 2023 | World Athletics Championships, Budapest 2023 | Hungary (HUN) | 88.17 | 1 |
| 31 AUG 2023 | Weltklasse, Letzigrund, Zürich | Switzerland (SUI) | 85.71 | 2 |
| 16 SEP 2023 | Prefontaine Classic, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR | United States of America (USA) | 83.80 | 2 |
| 04 OCT 2023 | 19th Asian Games, HOC Stadium, Hangzhou | China (CHN) | 88.88 | 1 |
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