Olympics 2024: Who will be the biggest challengers for Neeraj Chopra in Paris?

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Neeraj Chopra's journey in the Olympics 2024 commences on Tuesday (August 6) as the Indian athlete will compete in Javelin throw.

The reigning Olympic and world champion has a season's best of 88.36m set at the Doha Diamond League in May. He holds the national record of 89.94m, achieved at the Stockholm Diamond League in Sweden in June 2022.

With youth and experience on his side, the 26-year-old Chopra is widely expected to advance through the qualification round. The real challenge, however, will begin on Thursday when he could face a formidable line-up of rivals in the final.

Top Contenders for Gold

Among the top contenders challenging Neeraj Chopra for the gold medal will be Jakub Vadlejch of Czechia. Grenada's Anderson Peters, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, Julius Yego of Kenya, Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago and Finland's Oliver Helander add to the high stakes at the Olympics.

Jakub Vadlejch is currently No. 1 in the men's javelin throw rankings and has been on top of his game this year. He has a season-best of 88.65m and is also the reigning Diamond League champion, having beaten Neeraj Chopra for the top spot last year. He won silver at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.

A two-time world champion, Anderson Peters defeated Neeraj Chopra for gold in the 2022 World Championships in Oregon. Despite an injury-plagued 2023, Peters has returned strong this season and has a best of 86.62m this year. His personal best of 93.07m is the longest among those in the entry list.

Qualification Round Details

The qualification round will decide the line-up for Thursday's men's javelin throw final. Athletes achieving the qualifying mark of 84.00m will make the final.

If fewer than 12 athletes achieve this mark, then those with the next highest distances will fill up to a total of at least 12 spots in the final. Should more than 12 athletes achieve this standard, all will progress to compete in the final round.

Germany's Max Dehning holds the world-leading mark of 90.20m, achieved in February. He has not gone past the 82m mark since then but his personal best still makes him one of the top contenders.

Key Rivals

Arshad Nadeem

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem won silver at last year's World Championships and gold at the Commonwealth Games 2022 with a massive distance of 90.18m. The rivalry between Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem is one of athletics' most anticipated India vs Pakistan showdowns.

Keshorn Walcott

Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago aims for his third Olympic medal in his fourth appearance. He won gold at London 2012, and bronze at Rio 2016 but missed out at Tokyo 2020 Games. The 31-year-old enters Paris with a season-best throw of 85.11m and could be a dark horse contender.

Julian Weber

Julian Weber, Germany's reigning European Games champion, boasts a personal best of 89.54m and ranks third globally. His season's best throw was an impressive 88.37m achieved in May this year.

Oliver Helander

Oliver Helander from Finland ranks fourth worldwide with a season's best throw of 85.75m. Earlier this year, he competed against Neeraj Chopra at Paavo Nurmi Games where Chopra topped with an impressive distance while Helander finished third.

Anderson Peters

Despite an injury in recent years, Anderson Peters has been an amazing when it comes to Javelin Throw. His personal best 93.07m is the longest among all the contenders and he will be a massive challenge for Neeraj Chopra. He also beat the Indian athlete in the 2022 World Championships.

Jakub Vadlech

Jakub Vadlejch is currently the top-ranked javelin thrower and has been in excellent form this year. He has a season-best of 88.65m and also won the Diamond League this year. The Czech athlete won Silver in Tokyo and would be desperate to better it this term.