The youngster opened his campaign with a throw of 75.34m, setting a strong tone for the final. He improved upon that effort in his second attempt, launching the spear to a distance of 76.18m, which ultimately proved sufficient to clinch the title. He rounded off his series with a third effort of 75.37m, showcasing the technical progress he has made in recent months.
Focus Shifts to the 80m Milestone
Despite his victory, the Loyola College student expressed a sense of disappointment, as his primary objective for the meet had been to breach the 80-metre barrier. Reflecting on his performance, he noted that his personal expectations were higher, though he remains committed to reaching that distance in the near future. His recent international experience, which included a sixth-place finish at the World U-20 Championships in Eugene, USA, earlier this August, has been instrumental in his development as a competitor.
Dharanidharan’s journey in athletics began in the pole vault during his ninth year of schooling, but financial constraints prompted a transition to the javelin a year later. His coach, Manikandan, who oversees his training in Thanjavur, attributed the athlete's recent success to rigorous hard work and significant technical adjustments. According to Manikandan, the athlete has improved his distance by approximately three metres over the last two months. Looking ahead, the coaching team plans to focus on enhancing the athlete's strength and power, which they believe will be the key to unlocking his potential and helping him challenge existing records in the upcoming season.
