Daijiworld Media Network- Ostrava

Ostrava, Jun 25: India's golden boy of athletics, Neeraj Chopra, added another feather to his illustrious cap by clinching the top spot at the prestigious Golden Spike meet on Tuesday with a best throw of 85.29 metres. The event marked Chopra’s debut appearance at the meet, which is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series.

Coming off a stellar victory at the Paris Diamond League on June 20, Chopra, 27, continued his fine form to dominate a nine-man field in Ostrava. While his winning mark was modest by his high standards, it was enough to secure the gold medal in a highly competitive event.

The reigning Olympic champion had previously skipped the Golden Spike event in 2022 and 2023 due to fitness concerns. The meet holds special significance as Chopra's coach, Czech javelin legend Jan Železný, holds a record nine titles at the same competition.

Chopra’s 2024 season has been remarkable. In May, he sent ripples across the athletics world with a season-best throw that breached the elusive 90m mark at the Doha Diamond League, where he finished second. He followed it up with a commanding win in Paris, and now, another podium finish in Ostrava further solidifies his top form ahead of the Paris Olympics.

The javelin sensation from Haryana has become a beacon of Indian athletics on the global stage, and his consistent performances this season reflect his readiness for yet another Olympic campaign.