Manu in search of bigger distance

AMID the hullabaloo of Neeraj Chopra at the Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday, one can be forgiven for missing DP Manu's performance in the same event.

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The lanky javelin thrower, back from a stint in South Africa, looked relaxed in his run-up. The stadium was chanting Neeraj's name but Manu was the first thrower of the event. Yet, when he ran and threw the javelin there was balance and poise.

The spear flew to 82.06m. This remained the best mark until Neeraj overhauled it. Neeraj managed 82m in his first throw but it wasn't until the fourth, when he changed his costume and post some stretching, did he manage to overtake Manu's 82.06m.

Even after the throw, what seemed interesting was that Manu was oblivious to the fact that Neeraj overtook him. He thought he had beaten Neeraj. Only when he spoke to his coach did he realise that he was second. "He did not notice that Neeraj had overtaken him," said his coach Kashinath Naik.