‘It was cold, windy and not the best conditions for javelin throw,' Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra warms up for his throw during qualifying on Thursday. Pic/PTI

Olympic hero Neeraj Chopra, along with Rohit Yadav and Yashvir Singh, advanced to the Commonwealth Games men's javelin throw final after finishing among the top 12 in the qualification round as strong, shifting winds foiled every athlete's attempt to achieve the automatic qualifying mark here on Thursday.

Chopra, who won the CWG javelin throw title in 2018, was fifth with a best effort of 79.61m, while Rohit Yadav (78.37m) and Yashvir Singh (78.36m) ended the qualification in ninth and 10th positions respectively to ensure a full Indian contingent in the medal round.

With a steady headwind and a temperature of 18 degree Celsius making conditions difficult throughout the event, none of the competitors was able to breach the automatic qualification mark of 84m, leaving the top 12 athletes to progress to the final round to be held on Friday.

"The conditions were not the best for javelin throwers. It was not only cold but also windy. And the wind was coming from all directions. And lots of throwers were struggling today, no automatic qualification," Chopra told reporters after the event.

"The athletes put in a lot of effort but the wind dictated terms. A lot of them will be unhappy today because I don't think anyone would be satisfied with their throw," Chopra added.

Sri Lanka's in-form Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, winner of the Doha and Rome Diamond League meetings this season, topped the qualification with a first-round throw of 82.84m.

Meanwhile, in the women's 86+ kg weightlifting final, Martina Devi Mirabam finished fifth, with a combined lift of 245 kg.

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