Neeraj Chopra Record-Breaker Himanshu Jhakar Achieves Another Milestone To Enter Exclusive Club Of...

Last Updated:October 13, 2025, 08:53 IST

The 17-year-old Himanshu Jakhar produced an effort of 80.38m at the National Junior Athletics Championships U18 event to add further sheen to his burgeoning profile.

Himanshu Jakhar. (X)

Himanshu Jakhar scripted history as he breached the 80m mark at the National Junior Athletics Championships U18 Men’s javelin throw event.

The 17-year-old athlete from Haryana produced an effort of 80.38m with a lighter javelin to add further sheen to his burgeoning profile.

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Jakhar, who idolies double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, recently shattered the Tokyo Olympic champion’s 11-year-old Meet Record in the qualifying round of the U18 event of the 40th National Junior Athletics Championships, improved on his PB at the event.

Jakhar won the gold medal at the Asian U-18 Athletics Championships 2025 in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, earlier this year, with a 67.57 metres effort, surpassing China’s Lu Hao, who registered a throw of 63.45m. His victory marked India’s first-ever win in boys’ javelin throw at the continental event.

Jakhar, the son of farmers Dalbir and Reena, took to the sport at the tender age of 5 and has cited the legendary Chopra, who clinched Olympic Gold in Tokyo and Silver in Paris, as his idol and inspiration.

“He is an inspiration not just to me but the entire country," Jakhar said following his triumph in Saudi Arabia.

“His achievements for India are extraordinary. What I admire about him is his work ethic, dedication, and humility despite his fame. I always try to learn from how he conducts himself during competitions, how he greets his competitors, and how he stays calm in pressure situations," Jakhar added.

Jakhar also trained alongside Chopra and Czech legend and coach Jan Zelezny in South Africa earlier this year.

“I have been training at the SAI Centre in Hisar under coach Arvind for the last two to three years. With better coaching, equipment, ground, and gym facilities, I was able to make the country proud," Jakhar said.

News sports Neeraj Chopra Record-Breaker Himanshu Jhakar Achieves Another Milestone To Enter Exclusive Club Of...

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