Keshorn Walcott: All you need to know about Neeraj Chopra's opponent in the men's javelin final at Paris Olympics 2024
One name that stands out among Neeraj Chopra's top competitors for the Paris Olympics 2024 javelin throw finals is Keshorn Walcott. The seasoned athlete from Trinidad and Tobago has a storied career.
Born on April 2, 1993, Keshorn Walcott, now 31, has etched his name in the history of javelin throw. Walcott's rise to fame began in the 2012 London Olympics, where he delivered a stunning performance, securing the gold medal with a throw of 84.58 meters.
This victory not only made him the youngest-ever Olympic champion in the javelin throw but also the first Caribbean male athlete and the first athlete of African descent to win a gold medal in a throwing event in Olympic history.
In the 2016 Rio Olympics, he added another accolade to his name by clinching a bronze medal. However, he failed to make the cut for the Tokyo 2020 finals after finishing seventh in the qualifications.
Currently ranked ninth in the world, Keshorn Walcott redeemed himself and secured his spot in the Paris Olympics 2024 finals with a throw of 83.02 meters in the qualification round. Although he didn’t meet the automatic qualifying standard of 84 meters, his performance was enough to place him 11th among the top 12 qualifiers, earning him a chance to compete in the final.
Keshorn Walcott's Medals and Achievements
Olympic Games:
- London 2012 - Gold
- Rio de Janeiro 2016 - Bronze
Commonwealth Games:
- Glasgow 2014 - Silver
Pan American Games:
- Toronto 2015 - Gold
- Lima 2019 - Silver
Continental Cup:
- Marrakech 2014 - Gold
World Junior Championships:
- Barcelona 2012 - Gold
Keshorn Walcott's World Ranking
Keshorn Walcott is currently the World No. 9 javelin thrower.
Keshorn Walcott vs Neeraj Chopra: Head-to-Head
Keshorn Walcott and Neeraj Chopra competed against each other 13 times, with Chopra leading with 10 victories to Walcott’s three. Their most recent encounter was at the Paavo Nurmi Games in June 2024, where Neeraj Chopra secured the gold medal with an 85.97m throw, whereas Walcott threw 81.93m to finish sixth.
Keshorn Walcott's Recent Records
- Paris Olympics 2024 Qualification, August 2024 - 83.02m (6th)
- Trinidad & Tobago Championships Final, June 2024 - 85.22m (1st)
- Motonet GP Kuortane Final, June 2024 - 84.89m (1st)
- Paavo Nurmi Games Final, June 2024 - 81.93m (6th)
- Eteläpohjalaanen Timanttiliiga Final, June 2024 - 81.11m (1st)
Keshorn Walcott's Personal Best and Season Best
Personal Best - 90.16m (Athletissima Lausanne, July 2015)
Season Best - 85.22m (Trinidad & Tobago Championships Final, June 2024)
Keshorn Walcott vs Neeraj Chopra Match Details
Keshorn Walcott and Neeraj Chopra will feature at the men's javelin throw final event on August 8 at Stade de France which starts at 11:55 pm IST.