Javelin thrower Shivpal Singh qualifies for Tokyo Olympics, joins Neeraj Chopra

Potchefstroom (South Africa), March 11: Indian javelin thrower Shivpal Singh qualified for his maiden Olympic Games in Tokyo this year by breaching the qualification mark at an event in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Shivpal became the second Indian javelin thrower after star athlete Neeraj Chopra to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. powered by Rubicon Project The 24-year-old Shivpal crossed the qualifying standard of 85m by hurling the spear to a distance of 85.47m in his fifth attempt to win gold in the ACNW Meeting at the McArthur Stadium late on Tuesday (March 10). “Shivpal Singh qualifies for #Olympics @Tokyo2020 with a performance of 85.47m in Men’s Javelin in #SouthAfrica,” the Athletics Federation of India tweeted.

Another Indian Akshdeep Singh finished third with a best throw of 75m. Four athletes took part in the event. Chopra had qualified for the Tokyo Games with a throw of 87.86m at another ACNW League meeting here in January. Both of them are currently here for a training stint. Shivpal has a personal best of 86.23m while winning a silver medal in the Asia Championships in Doha last year. He also took part in the prestigious Diamond League meeting in the Oslo leg (Norway) last year, finishing eighth with a throw of 80.87m.