Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra outscored Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem in the men’s javelin qualification in the 2026 Commonwealth Games by an extended distance over the second throw in the series, which bagged 79.61m.
Chopra took up the Commonwealth Games again in Glasgow for the first time in eight years on the Commonwealth arena, on Day 8 of the Games. The first throw of his came 76.28 metres; even though he was behind a number of players, including Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan with a throw of 78.63 metres.
Chopra had had a poorer second shot with his score of 79.61 metres, though, sending him ahead of Nadeem in the qualification table. The throw was far less than his personal best, but put the Indian star comfortably ahead to embroider the final.
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage maintained his impressive lead in the qualification round by recording the best 82.84-metre throw amongst all the throwers.
While Chopra is yet to become one of India’s greatest track and field athletes, the qualification event is being closely watched to see if the 18-year-old can secure yet another major international medal to his sporting career.
In other events, the Indian sprinter Tejaswin Shankar finished the 100m running 10.96 seconds; meanwhile, the Indian weightlifters had assumed a stronger position to extend their winning streak in the Games in India, having won 6 medals so far.
Of course, Indian fans will be hoping for Chopra to have further distance in his remaining shots and ride them when it comes to the Commonwealth Games final.