Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra congratulated Ashish Yadav after the 19-year-old won silver in the javelin throw at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Chopra, India’s first world U20 javelin champion, described Ashish’s achievement as a special moment and backed the youngster to achieve more in the future.
“Always a great feeling to see Indian athletes competing and winning at the International level, this one is little more special for me as a javelin thrower. Super proud of you Ashish on your Silver at the U-20 Worlds, this is just the start!” Chopra wrote on X.
Ashish produced a best throw of 74.09m to finish second behind South Africa’s Jan-Hendrik Heymans, who won gold with a world under-20 leading mark of 80.50m. Dominica’s Addison James claimed bronze with 73.89m.
Ashish Follows Chopra Into History
Ashish has become only the second Indian javelin thrower to win a medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships, following Chopra’s historic triumph in 2016.
Chopra won gold at the 2016 edition in Bydgoszcz with a world U20 record throw of 86.48m, becoming India’s first world U20 champion in the event.
Ashish began the final with 69.96m before fouling his second attempt. He responded with 74.09m on his third throw, which ultimately secured the silver medal.
He followed that effort with throws of 72.31m, 70.62m and 67.98m.
Ashish entered the competition with a personal best of 74.49m, achieved earlier this year at the Indian Open Throws Competition in Patiala.
Dharanidharan Finishes Sixth
India had two athletes in the men’s javelin final, with T. Dharanidharan finishing sixth with a best effort of 72.35m.
Both Indians had progressed through qualifying, with Ashish finishing second overall with 69.87m and Dharanidharan securing the final qualifying spot with 68.07m.
The silver medal adds another significant milestone to Ashish’s emerging career and places him alongside Chopra in the history of Indian javelin at the global junior level.
For Chopra, the message to the youngster was simple: this could be only the beginning.
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