New Delhi, August 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra congratulated fellow Indian javelin thrower Ashish Yadav after the youngster won a silver medal at the World U20 Athletics Championships, calling the achievement particularly special from the perspective of a fellow javelin thrower.
Ashish finished second in the men’s javelin final with a best throw of 74.09 metres, recorded on his third attempt, earning India a podium finish at the global junior championships.
Chopra, who recently won silver at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, took to X to praise the teenager and backed him to achieve greater success.
“Always a great feeling to see Indian athletes competing and winning at the International level; this one is a little more special for me as a javelin thrower. Super proud of you, Ashish, on your Silver at the U-20 Worlds; this is just the start!” Chopra posted.
South Africa’s Heymans won the gold with a throw of 80.50 metres, while Dominica’s James secured bronze with 73.89 metres.
India had another competitor in the event, with T. Dharanidharan finishing sixth. His best effort measured 72.35 metres.
Ashish’s medal adds to India’s growing success in junior javelin, a discipline that has gained prominence nationally following Chopra’s remarkable career.
Chopra himself won gold in the javelin at the 2016 World U20 Championships with a then-world junior record of 86.48 metres. He subsequently became India’s most successful track and field athlete, winning Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 and silver at Paris 2024.
Chopra is scheduled to compete at the Lausanne Diamond League later this year, where he is expected to face strong competition from Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage. Pathirage won the men’s javelin gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a throw of 89.75 metres.
FOLLOW NOW
