New Delhi, Sep 19 (PTI) — India's emerging javelin throw talent, Sachin Yadav, may have outshone illustrious athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Julian Weber during his debut at the World Championships, but he remains disheartened for missing out on an unexpected bronze medal despite a promising start.
In just his second international appearance, Yadav surprised many by surpassing big names such as two-time Olympic medallist Chopra (84.03m), reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem (82.75m), and Diamond League trophy winner Weber (86.11m) in Tokyo on Thursday. Yadav's first-round throw of 86.27m set a personal best, surpassing his prior mark of 85.16m from the Asian Championships in May, his inaugural international outing. However, Curtis Thompson of the USA edged past him for bronze with a throw of 86.67m, merely 40cm beyond Yadav's reach.
"The opening throw was spot on," Yadav recounted from Tokyo. "The conditions were favorable, and my body felt great. Watching my javelin land, I thought a medal was within reach. I was sure I could hit at least 87m," he shared.
While competing against the world’s best elevated his performance, Yadav regretted not improving on his first throw during subsequent attempts. "Missing out on a World Championships medal feels like a lost opportunity," the 25-year-old lamented. His subsequent throws included a foul and distances of 85.71m, 84.90m, 85.96m, and 80.95m — three surpassing his previous personal best.
Originating from a farming family in Khekra village near Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, Yadav also expressed empathy for Neeraj Chopra, the defending champion, who was sidelined due to back pain after the fifth round. "Neeraj bhai and I talked a lot during the final. After my first throw, he encouraged me, saying we should aim for two medals. I knew he was struggling with his back but was hopeful for a good throw," he recounted.
Despite his attempts, Yadav acknowledged the sting of disappointment that no Indian podium finishes resulted from the efforts. After the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, it marked Chopra's first absence from the podium.
Meanwhile, Yadav's on-field achievements brought unexpected attention to his home village. "My parents are delighted, but they aren't acquainted with athletics or World Championships. Media presence at their doorstep took them by surprise," Yadav shared.
Having secured a position with the UP Police under the sports quota, Yadav recalled overcoming significant hurdles, including an elbow injury early in his career in 2021. "I often faced injuries, starting with an elbow issue, followed by twisting my ankle earlier this year during the Uttarakhand National Games," he said.
Support from programs like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and sponsors such as OGQ have since eased his financial challenges. Yadav's journey in javelin began without formal coaching, under the guidance of his neighbor Sandeep Yadav, who recognized his potential during casual cricket games. It wasn't until last year that Sachin Yadav trained under well-known coach Naval Singh.
Yadav is expected to relocate his training base from Delhi's National Centre Of Excellence (NCOE) to either Patiala or Bengaluru. His coach, Sergey Makarov, a former world champion and Olympic medalist, is based in Patiala.
Lalit Bhanot, head of the Athletics Federation of India's (AFI) Planning Commission, remarked, "Sachin's raw talent needs international polish. He throws 90m in training and, with refined technique, can achieve even greater distances."
With Neeraj Chopra's status and Yadav's emerging promise, AFI sees potential for dual javelin medals in future global events. Yadav awaits forthcoming decisions regarding his training and competition plans.
In response to queries about competing in the prestigious Diamond League next season, Yadav said, "My coaches, federation, and authorities will decide my schedule upon our return to India. I'll adhere to their guidance."
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