It’s nearly noon in Paris. It’s pleasant sunny is out and even though it’s a morning session of athletics, the Stade in Paris is brimming with fans. Compared to the sterile environs of the Tokyo Olympics, these are the sort of conditions athletes probably dream of.
Not if you are Neeraj Chopra though. The reigning Olympic javelin throw champion spends about ten minutes warming up. Still in his track suit, he unleashes a couple of practice throws. They aren’t particularly long. He doesn’t seem particularly perturbed ahead of the start of the qualification round of the men’s javelin throw. Other competitors make their throws as well. Anderson Peters, still in his track pants and jacket, uncorks a throw that travels well past the automatic qualification standard of 84m. It looks close to 90m.
Then at 11.50 am his competition begins – the second group of qualifying in the men’s javelin throw. Neeraj is the first to throw. He has three attempts to make the automatic qualification. If there are any nerves from the defending champion, you don’t get to see it. He stretches his groin. If you are looking to see if there are any signs of the niggles that have allowed him to compete all of three times this season, there’s none of that. His run up is smooth. His release is textbook. The javelin soars and then lands a long way past the automatic qualification standard.
It’s measured at 89.34m. Incidentally the second biggest throw of his career.
Qualification done. Just the one attempt needed. See you in the finals in two days time.
A total of 32 athletes take part across two groups of the qualification round.
His throw is the biggest in qualification. It’s a statement if there ever was any. But Chopra is the first to admit that qualification is very difficult from the pressure that comes while competing in an Olympic final. For one athletes will have six throws to give their best – they won’t have to stop with if their first throw meets some standard.
The conditions will also be different. “Conditions are a little cold in the evening session compared to the morning. The final mindset is also different,” he says.
European champion Julian Weber (87.76m), Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch (85.63m), World silver medallist Arshad Nadeem, (86.59m), two time world champion Anderson Peters (88.63m) and Neeraj —achieved that standard in their very first throw of the competition.
Those competing feel that the standard of competition in the finals at Paris will be higher than at Tokyo. This is partially borne out by the numbers. Compared to the nine who have done so in Paris, just six met the automatic qualification (83.50m) for the final in Tokyo.
Shobhit Rajan, said this was partly due to the nature of the extra hard Mondo track. “When the runway surface is harder, you can go faster. It’s not that good for the blocking leg but it’s OK,” he says.
That’s what Alnoor Jamal & Nazir Mussa says as well. “I just wanted to get my throw done so I could do my stretching and relax,” says Neeraj. “You get confidence and motivation after a good throw. But hopefully I keep my best for the final because that is the real thing.”
