Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in men’s javelin throw, is set to defend his title at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
However, the 26-year-old Indian superstar faces stiff competition from a talented pool of rivals, each aiming to dethrone him and claim the coveted gold medal.
As Neeraj Chopra gears up for the final on August 8th at the iconic Stade de France, let’s take a closer look at his top three opponents who can be the biggest threat.
1. Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan)
Arshad Nadeem has consistently pushed him to the limit in recent years. The 27-year-old Pakistani thrower finished fifth in Tokyo 2020 with a personal best of 90.18m, which he achieved at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
In the Paris 2024 qualification round, Nadeem registered a season-best throw of 86.59m, finishing ahead of the automatic qualification mark of 85m.
With his experience and proven ability to deliver under Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem pressure, he will undoubtedly be one of Neeraj’s toughest opponents.
2. Jakub Vadlejch (Czechia)
Jakub Vadlejch, the silver medalist from Tokyo 2020, is currently ranked number one in the world and poses a formidable challenge to Chopra’s title defense. The 33-year-old Czech thrower has a personal best of 90.88m and a season-best of 88.65m.
In the qualification round, Vadlejch secured his spot in the final with a throw of 85.63m, well above the automatic qualification mark. His consistency and experience make him a serious contender for the gold medal.
3. Anderson Peters (Grenada)
Anderson Peters, the 2022 World Champion, holds the number six position in the world rankings and has a personal best of 93.07m, which is the longest throw in the world this year.
The 26-year-old Grenadian thrower qualified for the final with a season-best throw of 88.63m, the closest to Chopra’s 89.34m in the qualification round.
Anderson Peters’ impressive personal best and recent form make him a dark horse for the gold medal.
