Javelin ace Neeraj shows ‘fighting spirit’ at Lausanne

Mumbai: While the other Paris Olympic medallists are back in India, Neeraj Chopra is still competing on the circuit.

India’s most decorated individual Olympian, despite niggles and an ongoing groin issue, has decided to end the season with a couple of Diamond League meetings at least. Before the Olympics, he did not want to risk aggravating his injury. Now, however, with the season winding down, the athlete is keen on ending it on a high.

For much of the night in Lausanne, during the Diamond League on Thursday, Neeraj looked a tad tired. A bit jaded. His series in the first four rounds were modest by his standards – 82.10m, 83.21m, 83.13m and 82.34m.

It seemed like the truly consistent throws were out of his reach. He had told reporters after the silver medal in Olympics that he was carrying a groin injury (adductor to be precise) and would assess with his team after the season. The sky looked gloomy and when Grenada’s Anderson Peters threw 90.61m in his last throw, Neeraj had to produce something spectacular.

Yet, it was not the last throw that Neeraj would be happy with. The penultimate throw of 85.58m gave him a lifeline and hope. Until then he was languishing in the fourth position behind Artur Felfner of Ukraine who had thrown 83.38m on his second attempt.