[Watch] Neeraj Chopra enters Stade de France amongst thunderous applause ahead of javelin throw final at Paris 2024

India's biggest medal hope and defending Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra was greeted with thunderous applause and roars as he stepped onto the Stade de France in Paris. The stadium, already buzzing with anticipation, erupted into a deafening roar that echoed through every corner.

Neeraj, calm and focused, acknowledged the fans with folded hands, but the fire in his eyes spoke volumes. This was the moment they had all been waiting for, and their hero had arrived to make history.

With an entire nation's hopes resting on his shoulders at these Olympics, Chopra is on the verge of making history. A victory would make him the first Indian athlete to win two Olympic golds in an individual event and only the fifth man in Olympic history to successfully defend a javelin title.

Neeraj Chopra has geared up for this day with renewed zeal. He started his season with a powerful 88.36m throw at the Doha Diamond League in May. Despite this impressive distance, he finished a close second as Germany's Julian Weber narrowly out-threw him with an 88.38m effort.

He then returned to compete on Indian soil for the first time since his historic Tokyo 2020 victory, participating in the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar. Though his throw of 82.27m wasn’t his best, it still earned him the top spot.

Neeraj wisely chose to skip the Ostrava Golden Spike meet to avoid any potential injuries. He made his return to the competitive scene in June at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, where he claimed victory with an 85.97m throw.

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Neeraj Chopra qualifies for javelin throw final with a season-best finish

Neeraj Chopra secured his spot in the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris Olympics 2024 with a remarkable 89.34m throw on Tuesday. Competing in the Group B qualification round, Chopra wasted no time, delivering this impressive distance on his very first attempt.

This throw not only marked his season’s best but also put him within striking distance of his personal record of 89.94m, which stands as the Indian national record. Though he narrowly missed surpassing that milestone, Chopra’s performance was a statement of intent as he advanced to the final in commanding fashion.