Javelin Thrower DP Manu To Train In South Africa In His Paris Olympics 2024 Qualification Bid

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Last year was fantastic for javelin thrower DP Manu. He won a silver medal at the Asian Athletics Championships, which marked his first international medal. Additionally, he reached the finals of the World Championships in Budapest and achieved a season-best throw of 84.33 meters in Bengaluru.

Now, eying towards the Paris Olympics, the 24-year-old will train in South Africa with his coach Kashinath Naik, who is also a Commonwealth Games medalist. In South Africa, Manu will participate in two local tournaments where he will try to breach the Paris Olympics qualification mark, which is 85.50m.

"We are planning to go South Africa," DP Manu told myKhel. "I will be able to practice and also compete in the competitions. Participating in South Africa will help me prepare for the Paris Olympics."

Tokyo olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra and Asian games medalist Kishore Jena have already qualified for the Paris Olympics. India can send three Javelin throwers to Paris.

Throwers can qualify in two ways: Either by throwing a minimum distance of 85.50 meters or through quota spot via the World Athletics ranking, which takes into consideration the top-five performances of the athlete during the qualification period. Only three athletes per nation can qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024, which effectively means there's only one spot that is up for grabs.

DP Manu's coach, Kashinath Naik, is aware of the competition in the country in the likes of Rohit Yadav and feel training in South Africa is an ideal way of preparing for it.

"If we go there (South Africa) and play two international competitions, it will be easier for us to play in the Olympics. There are competitions in India as well but if we go South Africa and play competitions and there will be also good throwers from European countries, and we have a chance to play with them. Our main goal is to achieve qualification in the first competition."

Kashinath, who is also former coach of Neeraj Chopra in his formative years, also mentioned that while SAI (Sports Authority of India) has granted permission, DP Manu is still awaiting confirmation from the organisers.

"Yes, there are South African Grand Prix events scheduled for March 18th and 28th. We have made plans and initiated the necessary approval process, and we have received confirmation from SAI (Sports Authority of India)," he said.

"However, we still need permission from the competition organisers. We have planned accordingly, and these competitions offer us an opportunity to qualify for the Olympics. We are eagerly awaiting that day. Our primary goal is to win an Olympic medal."