Asian Games 2023: Neeraj Chopra wins javelin throw gold, Kishore Kumar Jena bags silver

Neeraj Chopra defended his Asian Games title with a season best throw of 88.88m to clinch the gold in the men’s javelin throw event Wednesday at Hangzhou 2022. The silver medal also went to India as Kishore Kumar Jena came second behind Neeraj with a personal best throw of 87.54m. Asian Games 2023: Day 11 LIVE Updates Japan’s Genki Roderick Dean won the bronze with his best throw of 82.68m. The men’s final also witnessed some early drama after Neeraj’s first throw was not recorded due to a technical error. Neeraj began with what looked like an 85+m throw but due to a technical error at the venue, the distance was not recorded leading to confusion and a delay in the competition. The final resumed after the technical error was fixed, however, Neeraj’s first throw was invalidated and he had to make a fresh start. Overall, Neeraj completed four out of six attempts after the restart and recorded distances of 82.38m, 84.49m. 88.88m and 80.80m. His third and sixth throws turned out to be fouls. While Neeraj took an early lead with his first throw of 82.38m, Kishore Jena from Odisha in the middle soared to the top with a throw of 86.77m before the world champion took the control back with his fourth throw of 88.88m. Jena also improved upon his 86.77m attempt to clinch silver with a throw of 87.54m Overall in four throws, Jena recorded distances of 81.26m, 79.76m, 86.77m, and 87.54m before his last two throws turned out to be fouls. With the gold and silver in the javelin event, India’s medal tally went up to 80 including 17 gold, 31 silver, and 32 bronze. This is India’s best-ever medal haul at the Asian Games and also their best gold medal haul. Their previous best of 70 medals including 16 gold had come in 2018. Neeraj had won the gold in the 2018 Games in Indonesia with a throw of 88.06m.