India’s javelin sensation Neeraj Chopra produced his best form since the SAF Games to clinch the silver medal but still missed the Olympics qualification mark at the Zygmunta Selesta Memorial in Warsaw, Poland.
With an effort of 79.73 metres that earned him the silver medal and another throw of 81 metres which was declared null, the 19-year-old Chopra kept his Rio hopes alive after finishing second, behind local boy Grzeszczuk, who threw 83.50m late on Sunday night.
Slovakia’s Zenuch took the third position with a best throw of 77.07 metres while the other Indian men thrower in the fray, Vipin Kasana finished seventh.
The Olympics qualification standard for men’s javelin is 83 metres and so far Chopra has performed 82.23 metres at SAF, 79.52 metres at the 1st Indian GP and 79.51 metres at Rehlingen Gemany Weltklasse meet respectively this season.
In the women’s section, 2014 Asian Games bronze medalist Annu Rani also won the silver medal, but her throw of 56.76 metres was almost six metres behind the OG qualification mark.
The other Indian women in the reckoning, Suman Dev finished in fourth place with a best effort of 56.27 metres.