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In a terrific comeback after missing the entire 2019 season due to injury, India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 87.86m at the ACNE League meeting in Potchefstroom, S Africa, making an impressive return to the circuit after recovering from an elbow injury.
“Feeling super awesome to be back in the competition mode. Thank you everyone for your good wishes and supporting me always,” tweeted Neeraj, who has now secured India’s fourth Olympics quota in athletics.
87.86 mtr
Feeling super awesome to be back in the competition mode.
Thank you everyone for your good wishes and supporting me alwaysजय हिंद pic.twitter.com/gO8iCMG8Di— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) January 28, 2020
Union Minister of state (Independent Charge) Youth Affairs & Sports , Kiren Rijiju too congratulated Neeraj in a tweet
A great come back from injury by @Neeraj_chopra1 and then qualifying for @Tokyo2020 Olympics is a great achievement! Determination, passion and strength made it possible to throw 87.86m much beyond the qualifying benchmark of 85m. Well done Neeraj! https://t.co/hec7mHR4Nz
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 29, 2020
The 22-year-old Indian breached the Olympic qualification mark of 85m in his fourth attempt and secured the top place at the international event .
He threw the spear to 81.76m at the start and kept improving with every throw. He managed 82m in his second attempt and 82.57 in the third.
Another Indian in fray, Rohit Yadav threw 77.61m to finish second. The other three competitors did not even touch the 70m mark.
