Neeraj Chopra began his quest for a World Championships gold medal with a false start in the men’s javelin throw final in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday.
Rohit Yadav, India’s other contestant in the final, had a throw a 77.95 metres.
Defending champion Anderson Peters got off with an effort of 90.21m throw in his first attempt and took the top spot.
Since 2009, no javelin thrower has gone on to win the Olympics and World Championships gold at the same time.
If Chopra emerges triumphant today he will become the first men’s javelin thrower to follow Olympic success with a World Championships crown since Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen in 2008-09.
He will become only the third male javelin thrower to follow Olympic success with World Championship gold after Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen (2008-09) and World record holder Jan Zelezny of Czech Republic in 2000-01 and 1992-93.
Long jumper Anju Bobby George remains the only Indian to win a World Championships medal. She won bronze in the 2003 edition.
Chopra had set a new National record of 89.94m, just 6cm shy of the 90m mark, the gold standard in the world of javelin throw, at the prestigious Diamond League in Stockholm in June en route a silver medal.
He finished second behind Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who recorded a best throw of 90.31m.
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