Commonwealth Games 2018: CWG gold medal-winning throw would have won Neeraj Chopra bronze at Rio Olympics

What's the story?

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra became the latest Indian to win a gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Chopra threw his javelin a distance of 86.47m, his season best as well. Chopra joined Manu Bhaker, Mehuli Ghosh, and Anish Bhanwala as he becomes yet another young athlete to bag a medal.

In case you didn't know...

Neeraj was one of the favourites going into the event and almost recorded a personal best, falling short by just 0.01m.

The heart of the matter

Neeraj Chopra is one of the youngest athletes in India right now. He is perhaps also one of the athletes who has a promising career ahead of him. Many expect him to compete against the best in two years time at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

However, had he done the same two years earlier, at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Neeraj would've finished 3rd, winning the bronze medal.

Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago had thrown his javelin over a distance of 85.38m in Rio, two years prior to Neeraj's throw of 86.47m at Gold Coast.

Rio Olympics 2016 Final Javelin Throw standings

Neeraj could not qualify for Rio 2016, despite having thrown 86.48m (which was above the qualification mark for the Olympics) at the U20 World Championships. Unfortunately, the last date of qualification for the Games had already crossed, and he could not make the cut.

What's next?

Neeraj has a bright future ahead of him. The athlete is just 20, and is already making a name for himself on an international level, so much so, that he was a heavy favourite going into the competition. He will be looking to carry his stunning form to the next Olympics as well, in two years time.

Author's take

The young guns have really shone in this edition of the Commonwealth Games. Neeraj Chopra, Mehuli Ghosh, Manu Bhaker, and Anish Bhanwala have all won medals. Tejaswin Shankar and Srihari Nataraj also performed well at this year's Games.