Javelin Throw Olympics 2024: Only one of Neeraj Chopra's attempts was counted. Know why

Neeraj Chopra on late Thursday night gave India its first silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, ceding to Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem and his monstrous throw of more than 92m. It was Chopra's second medal after the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

In the javelin finals, however, only one throw of Neeraj's five attempts was counted.

During the finals, all athletes get five attempts. After the first three attempts, only the top eight advance to the second round, where they get three more attempts.


Neeraj Chopra slipped towards the end of his first throw on his initial attempt and it was ruled out as invalid. His silver medal-winning throw of 89.45 meters came in his second attempt.

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However, he didn't get enough on his third attempt either and he stepped out and decided to not log the throw. His other two throws were invalid too.

Unfortunately, Neeraj couldn't make a single valid throw after that, as he kept touching the line during his follow-through.

Thanks to his second throw, India managed to secure a silver medal.

Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem showdown

In the final, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem secured the Gold meda with a sensational throw of 92.97 meters - a new Olympic record. Nadeem's monster effort -- sixth longest in history -- also came in his second attempt which was like a bolt from the blue that stunned the Stade de France.

Neeraj Chopra is yet to touch the 90 m mark, with his personal best still at 89.94m.

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The earlier Olympic record stood at 90.57m in the name of Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway, set during the 2008 Beijing Games. Nadeem also signed off in style with a closing throw of 91.79m.

Anderson Peters of Grenada secured the bronze with a throw of 88.54 meters, which came in his fourth attempt.

Neeraj Chopra in this elite club

Neeraj Chopra is now the only fourth Indian to have two Olympics medals in his kitty after PV Sindhu, Sushil Kumar, and Manu Bhaker. PV Sindhu has previously won one silver and one bronze medal. Wrestler Sushil Kumar has also earned one silver and one bronze medal.

Shooter Manu Bhaker has claimed two bronze medals since India's independence. Neeraj is also only the third athlete besides Sushil and Sindhu to win medals at two separate Summer Games.