India's medal hopes on Neeraj Chopra as Murali Shreeshankar fails

Published at :July 19, 2022 at 2:30 PM

Modified at :July 19, 2022 at 2:30 PM

After becoming the first-ever Indian to qualify for the men’s long jump finals in the World Athletics Championships, Murali Sreeshankar couldn’t live up to the expectation in the medal event. He finished 7th, which eventually ended his hope for a medal. So far, there have been ordinary performances from Indian athletes in the championships, including Parul Chaudhary, MP Jabir, Jeswin Aldrine, and Muhammed Anees Yahiya, to name a few.

India's other medal hope Avinash Sable lost in the finals of the 3000m steeplechase event on Tuesday. He finished 11th clocking 8:31:75s while Moroccon Soufiane El Bukkali won gold finishing at 8:25:13s.

All eyes are on Neeraj Chopra to claim a medal

Now, India’s biggest hope for a medal in the World Athletics Championships will once again be with Neeraj Chopra. The 24-year-old created history in Tokyo by winning Olympic gold last year and gave India the biggest relief in the tough pandemic. This time as well, Neeraj Chopra would be in everyone’s eyes to get a medal in the Javelin Throw. Anju Bobby George is the sole Indian medalist in the World Championships, having won bronze in 2003, and Neeraj Chopra would look to better this record.

The Javelin Throw event will start with the qualifiers on July 21. Besides Chopra, Peters, Olympic silver medalist, Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, and Finland’s Oliver Helander, are some of the other players to take part in the event. In the recently concluded Diamond League in Stockholm, Chopra finished second behind Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who recorded a magnificent throw of 90.31.

On Day 3 of the World Athletics Championships, Jamaica’s queen of the track, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, bagged her fifth 100m title. Even at the age of 35, she glided across the line in 10.67s and stunned everyone.

Apart from Neeraj Chopra, there are a few others who can turn the tables for India, including Priyanka Goswami and Sandeep Kumar in the 20km racewalk.

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