India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will begin his Tokyo 2020 Olympics campaign in the men’s javelin throw event on Wednesday, August 4.

The 23-year-old is currently ranked fourth in the world and qualified for the quadrennial event with a throw of 87.86 meters at the Athletics Central North East League meeting in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Neeraj will compete in the men’s javelin throw event alongside his compatriot Shivpal Singh, who bagged his Tokyo Olympics berth by clearing a distance of 85.47m.

Since winning a gold medal in the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, Neeraj has accomplished himself as one of India’s biggest track and field athletes.

Neeraj, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Indian Army, has bagged gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games held in 2018.

The Haryana-born athlete recently broke his own national record as he recorded a throw of 88.07m at the Indian Grand Prix in March.

India's medal contender Neeraj heads to Tokyo in good form, holding the fourth-best throw of 88.07m, behind Johannes Vetter of Germany, Poland's Marcin Krukowski, and Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott.

Meanwhile, another Indian in the fray, Shivpal Singh will look for a strong showing at Tokyo 2020.

Shivapal, who made his international debut at the 2018 Asian Games, won silver at the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships. At the ACNW League Meeting, held in South Africa, the 26-year-old threw the javelin at a distance of 85.47m to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

The Indian duo will face stiff competition from the likes of 2017 world champion Johannes Vetter, 2012 Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott, 2016 Olympic silver medalist Julius Yego, reigning world champion Anderson Peters and European champion Marcin Krukowski.

Men’s javelin throw at Tokyo Olympics: Get schedule and live India start times

All times are in Indian Standard Time (IST)

Wednesday, August 4

Men’s javelin throw qualification – 5:35 AM IST onwards

Saturday, August 7

Men’s javelin throw final - 4:30 PM IST

Where to watch men’s javelin throw at Tokyo 2020 Olympics live in India?

The men’s javelin throw event at Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be telecast live on Sony TEN 2, Sony Six and their corresponding HD TV channels in India. Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 3 HD, Sony TEN 4 and Sony TEN 4 HD will broadcast Tokyo 2020 in regional languages.

Live streaming of the men's javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics will be available on the SonyLiv app and website.

Live broadcast subject to Sony Sports Network.

Featured photo: World Athletics