Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra to be India's flag-bearer at Asian Games opening ceremony in Jakarta

Javelin thrower star Neeraj Chopra will be India’s flag bearer in the upcoming opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2018. Neeraj Chopra, won the gold medal in Commonwealth Games 2018 event in Gold Coast earlier this year. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra officially made the statement on Friday during the send-off ceremony organized for the Indian contingent.

Chopra secured a gold medal in the Savo Games in Finland July when he defeated his Chinese Taipei rival Chao-Tsun Cheng . He besides maintains the national record of throwing 87.43 m, an accomplishment he achieved during the first leg of the Diamond League Meeting held in Doha in May.

Feeling thrilled after the announcement Neeraj Chopra told a news agency, “I am thrilled to be chosen as the flag bearer of the Asian Games. It is a huge honour to be leading the Indian contingent in such a big event,”.

In spite of due to his to travel to Jakarta a few days earlier than his Javelin final, that is scheduled to take place on August 27, Chopra asserted that he is happy to reach a few days earlier for the opening ceremony. Neeraj will reach Jakarta on August 17 said Athletics Federation of India Secretary C K Valson.

Neeraj Chopra, in addition, holds U-20 world record with a throw of 86.48 m. with a throw of 85.23 meters, Neeraj had won the gold medal in the Asian Athletic championships in 2017. He had further won a gold in the 2016 IAAF World U-20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Chopra is one of the brilliant young athletes in the country, a favourite to the upcoming Asian games. At the 2014 Asian Games former hockey captain Sardar Singh was India's flag-bearer and this time Chopra will take the pride.