All eyes will be on Neeraj Chopra to deliver India’s elusive Olympic medal in athletics and end a wait of 100 years when he competes in the men’s javelin throw final here on Saturday.
A pre-tournament medal contender, the 23-year-old Chopra fuelled country’s expectations by topping the qualification round with a stunning first round throw of 86.59m.
A farmer’s son from Khandra village near Panipat in Haryana can script history by winning the elusive medal, which the likes of late Milkha Singh and P T Usha let it slip from their grasp in 1964 and 1984 editions.
Chopra’s performance on Wednesday was one of the best performances by an Indian in the Olympics, as he finished ahead of Gold medal favourite and 2017 world champion Johannes Vetter of Germany.
The Indian camp here is hoping that Saturday should turn out the finest day of Indian athletics.
“I have always wanted an Olympic medal since I first became AFI president (in 2012) and I am hoping the dream will be realised before the end of my term,” Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla said.