Neeraj Chopra: First throw perfect but need to improve in finals

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra during the qualification round. Pic/AP, PTI

Into the finals with a "perfect throw", trailblazing javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Wednesday said he will need the same performance with a higher score to be in contention for India's maiden track-and-field medal at the Olympic Games here. Chopra, 23, became the first Indian javelin thrower to enter the finals of the Games with a big throw of 86.65m that put him on the top of the Group A qualification.

He took just a few seconds to make that cut, sending the spear well past the direct qualifying mark of 83.50m in his first attempt.

"I am at my first Olympic Games, and I feel very good. In warm-up, my performance wasn't so good, but then [in the qualifying round] my first throw had a good angle and was a perfect throw," Chopra said.

He is, however, under no illusion that the final will be a totally different contest. "It will be a different feeling [in the finals] since it is my first time in the Olympics. Physically, we [all] train hard and are ready, but I also need to prepare mentally.

"I will need to focus on the throw, and try to repeat this [performance] with a higher score," he said. Chopra's performance will go down as one of the best by an Indian in the Olympics. Meanwhile, Shivpal Singh, failed to make the cut with a throw of 76.40m.

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