Competing in tough cold and windy conditions, Neeraj achieved a season-best mark of 85.83m on his second attempt, finishing second to Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.
Making his debut at the Commonwealth Games, the 24-year-old Yashvir showcased the performance of his career, sending the javelin to a personal best of 85.41m on his sixth and final attempt. This remarkable effort earned him the bronze medal and contributed to a memorable double podium finish for India.
Rumesh confirmed his status as the pre-event favorite by securing gold with an impressive throw of 89.75m, achieved in his second attempt. His performance was especially noteworthy considering the challenging conditions, as he was the only javelin thrower to surpass the 90-metre mark this season.
While Neeraj may not have performed at his peak, the silver medal represented another consistent outing for the Tokyo Olympic champion, whose throw on Friday slightly exceeded the 85.69m effort that placed him fourth at the Doha Diamond League in June, his only prior competition this season.
The more surprising performance, however, came from Yashvir.
Entering the competition with a personal best of 83.72m, the young Indian saved his best throw for last. Facing significant pressure, Yashvir produced an 85.41m throw in the sixth round, setting a new personal record and leaping into the bronze medal position. His late surge ensured that India had two athletes on the podium in one of the highlight events of the athletics program.
