India at Paris Olympics 2024 Day 13: Neeraj vs. Arshad in javelin final showdown

PTC News Desk: When reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra hits the track on Thursday, August 8, it will be a memorable day for India. Late in the evening, Indian standard time, Neeraj, the golden kid of Indian athletics, is scheduled to compete in the men's javelin throw final. Indians would undoubtedly be looking to their superstar for atonement following two devastating losses at the Olympics in Paris.

The prominent Indian javelin thrower has previously stated that qualifying for the Olympics was his first aim, and in order to stay fit for it, he skipped several Diamond League competitions. Although there was some pressure, Chopra acknowledged to the broadcaster that he felt comfortable about his physique in Paris.

I didn't compete in other competitions very much because I had the Olympics as my top focus, and I had a strong start. After winning his group and advancing to the men's javelin throw final, Neeraj stated, "Now the only effort is to keep myself healthy, fit, and arrive in the finals and give my hundred percent here."

Neeraj responded, "Look, it definitely remains in my mind, but let me tell you the truth, when I was on the field, nothing like this was in my mind," when questioned about his mentality during the round after his previous Olympic gold medal. All I could think of was the work I had come to perform at this moment."

The spotlight will be on the men's hockey team from India, who had a tremendous heartbreak in the competition semi-final, aside from Neeraj Chopra. India's captain, Harmanpreet, described it as one of the most difficult times in his life and stated that his team's goal was to leave Paris with a victory.

INDIA'S FULL SCHEDULE IN PARIS OLYMPICS: AUGUST 8

1:30 PM

Golf: Women's individual strokeplay Round 2 - Aditi Ashol, Diksha Dagar

1:45 PM

Athletics: Women's 100m hurdles repechage - Jyothi Yarraji

3:00 PM onwards

Wrestling: Men's 57kg R16 - Aman Sehrawat

Wrestling: Women's 57kg R16 - Anshu Malik

4:20 PM onwards

Wrestling: Men's 57kg quarter-finals (if qualified) - Aman Sehrawat

Wrestling: Women's 57kg quarter-finals (if qualified) - Anshu Malik

5:30 PM - MEDAL EVENT

Hockey: Men's Bronze medal match - India vs Spain

9:45 PM onwards

Wrestling: Men's 57kg semi-finals (if qualified) - Aman Sehrawat

10:25 PM onwards

Wrestling: Women's 57kg semi-finals (if qualified) - Anshu Malik

11:55 PM - MEDAL EVENT

Athletics: Men's javelin throw final - Neeraj Chopra

Also Read: 'Haraya gaya hai': Bajrang Punia's bold statement on Vinesh Phogat's Paris Olympic 2024 disqualification