A nudge from Neeraj: How a missing javelin star inspired Yashvir’s Asian Games silver

Yashvir Singh was not even supposed to be here. The 24-year-old from Jaipur was not part of the original javelin team at the Asian Games in India. Then Neeraj Chopra withdrew due to injury and the door opened and Yashvir was brought into the team.

On Monday, he made sure he was ready when the opportunity presented itself.

Yashvir won silver in men’s javelin in Aichi-Nagoya, he set a new personal best of 85.72m, while compatriot Rohit Yadav took the bronze with 84.35m. It was another step in the rapid rise of a thrower who is beginning to be remarkable.

Yashvir got off to a great start and took the lead with his first throw of 83.56m. Reigning world champion Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage eventually moved ahead with 88.55m while Rohit narrowly pushed Yashvir to the bronze position with a fourth-round performance of 84.35m.

Yashvir’s response was immediate. He sent the javelin 85.72m, a new personal best, to win the silver.

The conditions made the performance even more impressive. The rain made the track slippery and grip was an issue, but Yashvir produced six valid throws, all around the 82m mark or better.

“I feel very good. This is my second international tournament. The first was the Commonwealth Games, I won a bronze there. I registered a PB there. Now it’s a silver in the Asian Games. I registered another PB here,” he told SonyLIV.

“I am very happy. I am grateful to the people of the country and AFI.” Yashvir and Rohit Yadav with silver and bronze medals at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya (PTI Photo)

NUDGE NEERAJE CHOPRA

There was a familiar voice in his corner, even if Neeraj Chopra wasn’t on the runway.

Yashvir is close to Chopra and has already experienced his influence during the Commonwealth Games where he won bronze behind Chopra and Rumesh. Chopra pushed him for a big throw there and Yashvir responded with a personal best of 85.41m.

This time, Chopra’s words came before the Asian Games.

“After Glasgow, I played in the Continental Tour. After that he messaged me that he had to withdraw due to injury but told me that I might be included in the squad and wished me luck. He motivated me to do well. He told me to go for a medal,” said Yashvir.

He did it.

“There were a bit of problems because of the rain. The problem was with the grip. But I managed to get a PB.”

For someone whose rise began with a bamboo spear, the progression was rapid. Yashvir initially started playing basketball to get in shape before switching to javelin during his school years. His father, Rai Singh, a former national-level javelin thrower, guided him in his early years and kept him focused on working hard and avoiding the mistakes he made as an athlete.

Yashvir first grabbed headlines by breaking Chopra’s record in the U20 Federation India Cup. In 2022, he became one of the select Indian throwers to clear 80m.

He qualified for last year’s World Championships, but did not reach the finals. Then came his breakthrough bronze at the Commonwealth Games. Now there’s Asian Games silver and another personal best.

“This is the biggest achievement of my life,” said Yashvir.

He may have made the Asian Games squad as Chopra had to withdraw. He leaves Nagoya with a medal that is all his own.

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