Neeraj Chopra throws down gauntlet while cruising into javelin final

What a champion, Neeraj Chopra. On a sunny Tuesday morning at the Stade De France, the Tokyo Olympics gold medallist turned in a hot display and showed why he is being touted as a medal prospect at the Paris Olympics.

- S KANNAN

As he started running, with the javelin in his hand, all eyes were on the Indian. He sped, then reached the release point and flung the javelin in the air. As it landed on turf, the giant display board flashed 89.34 metres. This was huge and this was proof he is peaking for the final, as this one throw ensured he made the cut for the big fight on August 8. For months in a row, Neeraj has been hyped. Such has been the media glare, he has preferred to speak only when required, through organised media interactions.

It is almost a week since he came to Paris from his training base outside India. He did compete in Bhubaneswar in a low-key event as it was mandatory, three months ago.