CWG 2018: Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to win gold in javelin throw.

Johnson Cherian.

Neeraj Chopra on Saturday became the first Indian javelin thrower to claim a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, with a season’s best effort of 86.47m in the final.

The 20-year-old junior world champion had made the final after achieving the qualifying mark in his very first throw on Friday.

Neeraj was favourite for gold after his 85.94m throw last month at Patiala during the Federation Cup National Championships.

The field had been depleted after Olympics and world silver medallist Julius Yego of Kenya failed to qualify for final round, while 2012 Olympic champion and Rio Games bronze winner Keshorn Walcott opted out of the CWG.