New Delhi: Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra expressed his disappointment after finishing eighth in the men's final at the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo. He acknowledged that the outcome was not what he had hoped for as he aimed to conclude his season on a high note.

Chopra, who entered the competition as the defending champion after clinching gold in Budapest two years prior, managed a best throw of 84.03m at the National Stadium in Japan, placing him in eighth position. This marked the first time since the 2018 Continental Cup in Czechia that he finished outside the top three.

In an Instagram post, the two-time Olympic medallist shared, "It’s not how I had hoped to end the season, at the World Championships in Tokyo. I wanted to step out there and give my best for India despite all the challenges, but it wasn’t my night."

His impressive streak of 26 podium finishes came to an end in Tokyo. However, the event also showcased promising talent for India, as 23-year-old Sachin Yadav made a remarkable debut, finishing fourth and narrowly missing out on a bronze medal by just 40 centimeters.

Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago took home the gold with a throw of 88.16m, while Grenada's Anderson Peters secured silver at 87.38m, and Curtis Thompson from the USA earned bronze with 86.67m.

Chopra congratulated Sachin for achieving a personal best of 86.27m in the opening round, along with the medal winners. His post read, "Really happy for @sachin_javelin_, who threw a personal best and almost brought home a medal. Congratulations to @goldenwalcott, @anderson_peters1 and @curt_thompson on their well-deserved podium places."

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The World Championships marked Chopra's seventh competition of the year, where he has already claimed victory in four events, including the Paris Diamond League and the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru.

He concluded his post with gratitude, stating, "Grateful for all your support – this only makes me determined to come back stronger."