'Showing how it's done': Neeraj Chopra hailed on social media after 88.77m throw in World Athletics Championships

Neeraj Chopra sent out a stern warning to his rivals on Friday when he qualified for the final of the men’s javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest with a season-best effort of 88.77 metres.

Chopra not only topped the qualification round of the javelin throw event and was comfortably ahead of his competitors. He needed just one throw to book his place in the final.

The Tokyo Olympic gold medallist had collected silver at the World Championships — India’s second medal at the premier athletics event — in Eugene last year. He will be hoping to go one step further at the Hungarian capital in the final that takes place on Sunday, the final day of the competition.

Chopra’s effort was also enough for him to qualify for the Paris Olympics that takes place next summer. The qualifying period for next year’s Olympics began on 1 July and 85.50 metres had been set as the automatic qualifying mark.

His throw on Friday was better than his effort of 87.58 metres that helped him win India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics.

Here are some of the reactions to Chopra’s performance in the qualifying round:

Done and Dusted in the very first Attempt!

That’s our #TOPScheme athlete, @Neeraj_chopra1 for you