Indian javelin throwers seek Olympic qualification in Halle, Warsaw

New Delhi, May 20 : India’s leading javelin throwers, who are currently training at the Olympics Training Centre in Spala, will be eyeing to secure their Olympics berth in two different qualification competitions to be held in Halle (Germany) and Warsaw (Poland) on Saturday.
Neeraj Chopra, the promising 18-year-old athlete who came close to achieving the Olympics qualifying standard at the 2016 South Asian Federation Games with a throw of 82.23m, has been invited to throw in the prestigious Halle Meet that is extended to only the top-20 ranked men throwers in the world.
Earlier, in the first week of their training in Europe, three of the javelin throwers competed in the prestigious Rehlingen Germany Weltklasse Meeting.
This major throws meet witnessed 12 men javelin throwers, all with a personal best throws ranging from 84-92 metres. Chopra finished fifth in the meet with a throw of 79.51 metres in a world-class competition where four Germans finished with a winning throw of 84 metres.The 2014 Asian Games bronze medallists Annu Rani threw 54.75 metres while Suman Devi had a best throw of 52.71 metres in a field which featured the Germans world number two Christine Obergfall (Personal Best 70m) and number three Christine Hussong (PB 66m).India’s foreign expert for javelin throw, coach Garry Calvert from Australia, said, the event was affected by the cold condition and seemed to take four-six metres off everyone’s throw, with the favourite Hussong winning the women’s event in 61 metres.Commenting on the qualification plan for Indian javelin throwers, coach Calvert said, “Indian track and field is on the rise and to have European coaches and athletes sit with us, sends a wonderful message that we are being welcomed and encouraged at the top meets. The next step is to take places in these big events and give great experience to our athletes as they prepare to take on future big events.”