Asian Games 2018: Neeraj Chopra wins gold medal in Javelin throw; 8th Gold for India
Asian Games 2018: Neeraj Chopra wins a gold medal in Javelin throw; 8th Gold for India Young athletic icon Neeraj Chopra provided India gold lining on a day when fellow athletes won a series of silver medals in the 18th Asian Games on Monday. Neeraj threw the javelin to a record distance of 88.06 m in his third attempt to assure India of its second gold in athletics and eighth in total on a day when three other athletes, including Sudha Singh (300 m steeplechase), Neena Varakil (Long jump) and Dharun Ayyasamy (400 m hurdles), won silver medals in their respective events. Earlier in the day, Saina Nehwal won a bronze in women's doubles to take India's tally at the end of the day to eight gold, 13 silver and 20 bronze. With 41 medals India was placed ninth in the medals tally which was headed by China (190) and followed by Japan (135) and Korea (105). As expected Neeraj Chopra, 20, had little difficulty in asserting his supremacy in the javelin throw event starting with a throw of over 83 m. Though his second throw was invalid, he made amends in the third and sent the javelin past 88 m marks to assure himself of a gold medal. He cleared 83 in his fourth attempt but his third throw saw him through. This is India's second gold in field events. On the opening day of athletics competitions, Tejinderpal Singh Toor, 23, had given India golden start with a record throw of 20.75 m. A resurgent India has since then not looked back. If India has not won many gold medals here, it is primarily because of Bahrain, who are represented by African origin athletes. At least two of gold medals, including 100 m for women, could have landed in India's kitty but for Bahrain's imported athletes. Sudha Singh in 300 m steeplechase fought a gallant race to clock 9 minutes 40.03 seconds. Neena Varakil was just 0.04 m behind Thi Thy Thao Bui of Vietnam in the long jump and had to content with a silver with a best leap of 6.51 m. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2018: Bajrang Punia wins Gold in men’s freestyle 65 kg -PTC NEWS
