CWG 2026: Neeraj Chopra Second After Opening Throw; Three Indians in Medal Hunt

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra began his Commonwealth Games javelin final campaign in Glasgow with a throw of 80.97m, placing him second after the first round of attempts. Rohit Yadav, another Indian in the final, stood third, while Yash Vir Singh's first attempt was ruled a foul.

The Indian trio is competing in the men's javelin throw final at the Commonwealth Games, a rare occasion with three Indians in a major final since the 2023 World Championships. Neeraj, who entered the final after a fifth-place finish in qualification with a best throw of 79.61m, looked displeased with his opening effort, which fell short of his usual standards. His coach, Jaiveer Chaudhary, was seen pointing to a dip in the javelin's trajectory.

Rohit Yadav, who qualified with a throw of 78.37m, and Yash Vir Singh (78.36m) are also serious medal contenders. The competition, however, includes formidable opponents. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who topped qualification with 82.84m, fouled his first attempt in the final despite a throw that appeared to land near the 85m mark. Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, who finished seventh in qualifying with 78.63m, is among the strongest contenders. Grenada's Anderson Peters, second in qualification with 81.29m, and Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott (78.26m) also pose significant challenges.

Weather conditions added to the difficulty, with strong headwinds blowing from east to west across the stadium. The athletes had to adjust their techniques to the wind, which can affect the javelin's flight and distance.

Neeraj Chopra, who has already won Olympic silver and bronze medals, is aiming to add a Commonwealth Games medal to his collection. His first-round throw of 80.97m, though below his personal best, keeps him firmly in contention. With several rounds remaining, the competition is expected to intensify as athletes seek to improve their distances.

Both Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh will also be looking to climb the standings after their opening attempts. The final is being closely followed by Indian fans, with expectations high for a podium finish for at least one of the three athletes.