The javelin throw event of the 27th National Federation Senior Athletics Competition here at the Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday was so ordinary that champion Neeraj Chopra let it ‘pass’ in the fifth and sixth round.

He was already leading the pack with a throw of 82.27 in his fourth attempt — the last time he won with such a distance was in the 2016 SAF Games in Guwahati when Neeraj managed just 82.23 — and once the nearest challenger Manu DP Manu’s sixth attempt was ‘foul’, Neeraj had the gold medal in his pocket. Uttam Patil came third.

Asian Games silver medallist Kishore Jena was fifth as he failed to break even the 80-metre barrier (75.49 metres).

Neeraj was seen having a talk with his coach (Klaus Bartonietz) after his fourth throw and his decision to ‘pass’ the next two rounds did not come as a surprise.

This was Neeraj’s first tournament in India in three years.

“Yes, competition was not good. You can see how difficult was the conditions but it was always nice to participate in a home tournament in front of the fans,” Neeraj said later. “I just competed in Doha (Diamond League meeting on May 10), so there was not much time for recovery and travelling part also was there. Still, I am happy to play here,” he said.

“Now, the next tournament will be Ostrava (Golden Spike) on May 28.”

Neeraj came to the Kalinga Stadium before 5pm with a pilot car escorting him. The superstar status that he enjoys now was all there to see as at least 200 people crowded the training ground to catch a glimpse of the Olympic and world champion warming up before the event.

Chats with fellow javelin throwers, warm-up sessions with trainer Ishan Marwaha, the crowd followed his every move.

Inside the stadium, a group of 25 students travelled 40 kilometres from Khurda Road to watch Neeraj live in action. Around 2,000, including India national football team coach Igor Stimac, were at the stadium when Neeraj made his first attempt.

“Great to see so many coming to the ground to watch athletics. People wanted to come to meet me and they were being stopped. I was not feeling good. Earlier, I was meeting a lot of people as they were allowed to come and meet me,” Neeraj said.

“On the other hand, we (athletes) have to be in a different mindset and be serious during a competition. There is a risk factor (of injury) also if a lot of people come on the field,” he added.

Neeraj, who represented Haryana in this meet, was asked if he would trade a medal for 90-metre mark, the 26-year-old said he would always put the medal first. “Distance can be bettered anytime. But nobody can take your medal.”

Fastest woman

SS Sneha of Karnataka became the fastest woman of the meet, winning the 100m gold with a time of 11.63 seconds.

Gurindervir Singh of Punjab took the 100m dash gold with a time of 10.35 seconds.

In the men’s triple jump national record holder Praveen Chitravel of Tamil Nadu won gold with a below-par jump of 16.79m.