Double Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra began his 2025 season with an under-par throw at the Potch Invitational Track Event in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Chopra’s throw of 84.52m earned him the gold medal in the six-man javelin competition. He took his fans by surprise by participating in the unannounced event in South Africa, where he started his training for 2025 under new coach Jan Zelezny.
Chopra was shy of his personal best of 89.94m. But it was enough to earn him the top podium spot ahead of South Africa’s Douw Smit, who recorded a best throw of 82.44m. Incidentally, the South African was the only other javelin thrower to breach the 80m mark in the invitational event.
The ‘Golden Arm of India’ will be next seen in action at the Doha Diamond League on May 16. He will, then, participate in his own Neeraj Chopra Classic (NC Classic), which will take place on May 24 at the Tau Devi Lal Athletics Stadium in Panchkula.
The NC Classic will also serve as a qualification event for the World Championships.
Chopra scripted history by winning the 2023 World Championships with his best throw of 88.17 meters.
The 2025 World Championships will take place in September in Tokyo.
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