Awe-inspiring displays in the big sporting arena like the Asian Games, 2023 by our Indian athletes and where new champions are being crowned by the day and night, immense pride and feel-good euphoria prevails. Our gritty sportspersons excelled even in lesser followed events such as equestrian, rowing and race-walk. The medals tally is expected to reach three figure mark, an astonishing high-jump from previous Asiads !
In the most exciting event, while ‘Golden Boy’ ‘Neeraj Chopra’ had a magical final throw to clinch the ‘Gold’, he was closely followed by ‘Kishore Jena’ with a super performance. In the women’s javelin event, the indomitable ‘Annu Rani’ created history with a ‘Gold’. Will these incredible results propel many young athletes to take up this ancient sport that’s got a huge impetus thanks majorly to heroics of now legendary, Neeraj Chopra ?
Most of us have known javelin or ‘bhala’ throw as kind of herculean sport of strength & not suited to those without strong sinews ! A close look reveals that a javelin is a light spear designed to be hurled, historically as a ranged weapon, but today predominantly for sport. The javelin is almost always thrown by hand, unlike the bow and arrow and slingshot, which shoot projectiles from a mechanism.
We read that many African kingdoms have used the javelin as their main weapon since ancient times. Typical African warfare was based on ritualized stand-off encounters involving throwing javelins without advancing for close combat. In the flag of Eswatini there is a shield and two javelins, which symbolize the protection from the country’s enemies. Zulu warriors used a long version of assegai javelin as their primary weapon. Going back further, it’s said the God Runesocesius is identified as a “God of the Javelin”.
How do professional javelin throwers train and achieve perfection, considering that they encounter many vagaries of air pressure etc as they fly ? The forces acting on the javelin while in motion are the drag force and the lift force. The drag force is basically a resistive force and acts against the direction of the flight and the lift force acts vertically to the direction of the flight. Physics of this sport is vital as the ‘swing’ factor in pace bowling !
To achieve the maximum distance in the Javelin, the athlete will have to balance three components – speed, technique and strength. A strong, stable grip is acquired. The grip must remain firm behind the ledge made by the binding (cord), and the javelin must run down the length of the palm and not across it. We’d say, Cricket is easier but ask Neeraj Chopra and you’ll get the right answer. Nothing in sport is easy if you want perfection !!
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