Tokyo Olympics: Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra advances to final; Shivpal Singh out | Tokyo Olympics News – Times of India

“First impression is the best impression,” is one of the messages that is drilled into young minds by parents and teachers alike. At the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, on a warm Wednesday morning, it took India’s Neeraj Chopra less than a minute to make a big impression on the global audience as he advanced to the men’s javelin throw final with a fine 86.65m.
In his debut Games, the 23-year old from Panipat showed no signs of rustiness and looked fresh and raring to go. Having tucked his flowing hair with a sponsor’s headband, he ran in strong from the top of his run-up and unleashed the yellowcoloured spear into the air before hitting the ground on all fours and halting his run well inside the line.
Chopra knew straightaway that he had managed a big one but showed little emotion. Even as the small group of Indian supporters cheered him from the stands, Chopra didn’t celebrate and it was like another day at the office for him.

Gold medal contender Johannes Vetter of Germany struggled with his first two throws managing just over 82 metres before firing his third to 85.64m and over the automatic qualification mark set at 83.50m.
He finished second behind Chopra. Finland’s Lati Etelatalo was the first to get a Q against his name when he opened with an 84.50m throw. Nadeem tops Group B Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who is seventh in the toppers list for the season, did his reputation no harm as he topped Group B qualification round recording an 85.16m on his second attempt after opening with a modest 78.50m.
As the heat and humidity rose rapidly, India’s Shivpal Singh crashed out managing a best of 76.40m from his first chance. The Indian wasn’t anywhere near his best form as he settled for 72m for throws from the second and third attempts. Among the big names Poland’s Marcin Krukowski (SB: 89.55), Trinidad’s Keshorn Walcott (SB: 89.12m), and Latvian Gatis Cakss (SB: 87.57m) failed to progress while Rio silver medallist Julius Yego of Kenya struggled to land one properly before bowing out.