Neeraj Chopra claims World No. 1 ranking in Men's javelin throw
Neeraj Chopra, the gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics representing India, has ascended to the pinnacle of men's javelin throw rankings, securing the coveted title of World No. 1 according to the latest rankings released by World Athletics.
Chopra now leads the rankings with an impressive tally of 1455 points, outshining Grenada's Anderson Peters by a margin of 22 points. While occupying the second position since August 30, 2022, Chopra successfully surpassed Peters, the reigning world champion, in this week's rankings.
In the third spot is Jakub Vadlejch from the Czech Republic with 1410 points, followed by Julian Webber from Germany in fourth place with 1385 points. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem currently sits at fifth place with 1306 points.
Securing the top position in the rankings is a significant achievement for Chopra, who is scheduled to compete in the FBK Games 2023 on June 4 in the Netherlands.
Furthermore, he has confirmed his participation in the Paavo Nurmi Games 2023 to be held in Turku, Finland, on June 13.
The 25-year-old athlete from Haryana has climbed to the summit of the rankings through stellar performances since September of last year.
Chopra made history by winning the Diamond League 2022 finals in Zurich, becoming the first Indian athlete to claim the prestigious Diamond League trophy.
Following his triumph in Zurich, Neeraj Chopra was sidelined due to an injury. However, he made a triumphant return at the season-opening Doha Diamond League on May 5 this year, clinching first place with a remarkable throw of 88.67m. Anderson Peters managed to secure third place at the Doha meeting with a throw of 85.88m.
Chopra's rise to the pinnacle of the rankings signifies his exceptional form leading up to the upcoming Paris Olympics next year.
Among other Indian javelin throwers, Rohit Yadav holds the 15th position in the world rankings, while DP Manu follows closely behind at 17th place.
In the men's 3000m steeplechase, India's Avinash Sable has secured a spot in the top 20, currently placed 14th with 1286 points. The rankings in this event are currently led by Soufiane EL Bakkali from Morocco.
Overall, Neeraj Chopra's remarkable ascent to the top spot in the men's javelin throw rankings solidifies his status as a global force in the sport. With his upcoming competitions and unwavering dedication, Chopra aims to continue his exceptional performances and represent India with distinction at the Paris Olympics in the following year. (Edited)