Neeraj Chopra Takes Ostrava Golden Spike Title But Expresses Discontent with Winning Throw

Neeraj Chopra secured victory at the Ostrava Golden Spike, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event, with a throw of 85.29m. However, the Olympic champion expressed that he was "not happy" with his performance, despite clinching the title in his debut at the meet.

Neeraj Chopra celebrates his victory at the Ostrava Golden Spike competition.

Chopra's winning throw came in the third round, after a foul on his first attempt and a throw of 83.45m in the second. He led the field of nine athletes. Subsequent throws measured 82.17m and 81.01m, with a final-round foul.

"I am not that happy with my performance today, but I am very happy with the trophy I won," Chopra stated. "I used to watch this meeting a lot as a kid. I watched people like Jan Zelezny and Usain Bolt winning the Golden Spike, and I dreamt of winning one as well. Now the dream has come true," the two-time Olympic medallist added, as reported by PTI.

Chopra acknowledged the enthusiastic support from the Czech crowd: "I know the javelin throw is very popular in Czechia. The amount of support we were getting from the crowd was crazy. I just wish I could have performed better for them." He had previously surpassed the 90m mark at the Doha Diamond League in May, where he finished second.

The 27-year-old athlete is enjoying a strong season, following a Diamond League victory in Paris. His next competition is scheduled for July 5 at the NC Classic in Bengaluru, where he will compete against Anderson Peters and Thomas Rohler.

Despite his personal disappointment with his performance, Chopra's throw was enough to secure him the prestigious Golden Spike title.