Paris Olympics: Neeraj Chopra Hails Vinesh Phogat Stunning Victory Over Yui Susaki

Add as a preferred source on Google

Only a champion recognizes champions, and Neeraj Chopra's heartfelt praise for Vinesh Phogat's monumental victory over Yui Susaki at the Paris 2024 Olympics says it all.

On a day when both athletes shone brightly, Vinesh's stunning upset and Neeraj's stellar performance in the men's javelin qualification round stood out as defining moments for Indian sports.

Neeraj Chopra, after securing his place in the men's javelin final with a season-best throw of 89.34m, was quick to acknowledge Vinesh's remarkable achievement. "This is extraordinary. To beat Susaki is unreal. The effort she has put in shows. After what she has been through, I pray for her that she wins a medal. All the best to her," he remarked, reflecting the pride and admiration felt by many.

Vinesh's triumph over Susaki, the reigning Tokyo Games gold medalist and four-time World Champion, was nothing short of extraordinary. Susaki entered the match with an unblemished record of 82 consecutive wins in international competitions, making her a formidable opponent. However, Vinesh's meticulously crafted strategy and unwavering determination led to a 3-2 victory, handing Susaki her first-ever defeat on the international stage.

Vinesh didn't stop there. She continued her impressive run by defeating Ukraine's Oksana Livach, a former European champion and 2018 world championship bronze medalist, with a score of 7-5 in the quarterfinals. This victory propelled Vinesh into the semifinals, bringing her one step closer to her first Olympic medal.

Having experienced heartbreak in both the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, Vinesh is now on the brink of fulfilling her Olympic dreams. At 29, she has an illustrious career adorned with medals, including three Commonwealth Games golds, an Asian Games title, eight Asian Championship medals, and two World Championship bronzes. Yet, an Olympic medal has eluded her-until now.

While Vinesh was making waves on the wrestling mat, Neeraj Chopra was dominating the javelin field. Much like his performance in the Tokyo Olympics, Neeraj effortlessly crossed the automatic qualifying mark of 84m with his opening throw, securing the top spot in Group B. His 89.34m effort is the second-best of his career, dispelling any concerns about his fitness after he revealed he had been dealing with an adductor niggle.

Neeraj's personal best remains 89.94m, achieved in 2022. Unfortunately, his compatriot Kishore Jena fell short, with a throw of 80.73m, failing to make it to the 12-man final. However, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, also secured his spot in the finals with a commendable throw of 86.59m in Group B.