Asian Games 2023: Neeraj Chopra robbed of 1st big throw, anger builds up on social media; see reactions

New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra, the defending champion of 2018 Asian Games today started his campaign in the javelin throw event and is looking to retain his reign by clinching second consecutive victory in 2023 Games at Hangzhou, China.

The Olympian opened his game on a high and made a brilliant start to the game. He threw his javelin to a long distance, apparently crossing 85 metres.

However, the match refree found fault with his throw and dubbed it ‘irrelevant’. His long throw didn’t get counted and he had to throw the javelin again. Technical malfunction was given as the reason behind this goof-up. Neeraj’s second throw couldn’t fetch the same distance and it fell short at 82.38 metres.

Another Indian player Kishore Jena’s javelin throw also got mired in controversy as his throw was red-flagged by officials. As Jena protested against the decision, the officials got into deliberations and eventually gave it green light.

Public anger pours out on social media

Back home, a lot of Indian fans took to Twitter to lambast the Asian Games officials for robbing Neeraj Chopra of his first chance of registering a good throw. Though, the Olympian managed his score with brilliant throws later, his fans are angry & livid and seeing a ‘Chinese conspiracy’ in spoiling his dream run.

Unfair decision. Shame on the chinese decision.
We are proud of you #NeerajChopra we are with you. pic.twitter.com/rMESUa2IgC

— Rinki Sharma (@RinkiSharma) October 4, 2023

Another reason why I hate China #IndiaAtAsianGames #NeerajChopra #AsianGames2023 pic.twitter.com/AOqbDGy6E3

— Lakshit sehgal (@Lakshit_07) October 4, 2023

Neeraj is restarting this throw!!!#NeerajChopra #AsianGames2023 #AsianGames #AsianGames2022 #Cheer4India #IndiaAtAG22 #IndiaAtAsianGames pic.twitter.com/iHgiYeoRHV

— MrDeepak (@X_MrDeepak) October 4, 2023

#NeerajChopra Chinese are Finding this difficult to measure ?
What is wrong in this throw ? pic.twitter.com/VbE2MbyYpI

— Aayush Engineer (@AayushEng86) October 4, 2023

Server down?

China ka maal fir fail? #icccricketworldcup2023 |Ahmedabad |Ravi Shastri|Josh Buttler|#IndiaAtAsianGames|ODI World Cup| #NeerajChopra #RishabhPant |Temba Bavuma #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/JaunIirBGL

— king_kohli_FanClub (@RavindraNain29) October 4, 2023

What are the officials upto? First Neeraj, now Jena. This is a Chinese screw job. Really disgusting. #AsianGames #19thAsianGames #NeerajChopra

— Vishesh Roy (@vroy38) October 4, 2023

This should be the last major sporting event that China hosts. What a joke.

Neeraj’s throw wasn’t recorded and Jena’s throw given foul when it was not.

Jokers#NeerajChopra

— Astitva Shukla (@AsYouNotWish12) October 4, 2023

There are a total of 14 players, competing in the javelin throw event. Earlier, Pakistani rival Arshad Nadeem was ruled out of the game due to injury. India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra is eyeing gold medal in the Asian Games, for second consecutive time.